Self-Harm and Teen

Self-harm and teen will be our focus for this blog as we continue in our series of how I know my teen needs counselling or what are some signs that I need to access counselling for teen. When you have a teen that self-harm it can be overwhelming and sometimes even scary, so here are so things to know about self-harm and teen;

What is Self-Harm?

As explained in one of blog, when your teen tries to hurt themselves on purpose with no intention of committing suicide or when your teen involves in risky behaviours that hurt them without any feeling the pain.

What is the Cause of Self-Harm in Teens?

Self-harm can be a way your teen is coping with stress, managing difficult emotions, express internal feeling through cutting, as a form of distractions from painful emotions, punished for perceived faults, a way of communicating their pain to others, or as a way to feel something especially if they feel empty or norm.

What are the Signs that your Teen is Self-Harming?

Some signs that your teen may be self-harming may include surface cutting or scratches, hitting or banging their heads or something punching themselves, burnt (cigarettes), abusing their medication but not to the point of suicide, or picking their skins with sharp objects and so on.

Who is at Risk for Self-Harm?

The research shows that self-harming are common between teenagers and young adult. The research also indicates that self-harm is common in girls and young women than males. Some reason why a teen may be at risk to self-harming includes; mental health issues (ex. Anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and so on.), traumatic events (such as sexual abuse), alcohol or drug use, peers that self-harm, and so on.

What can I do as a Parent to help my Teen and Self-Harm?

• Be clam and talk with your teen about self-harm. Really? I just remain calm and how is that possible? I know it can be overwhelming and scaring when you know your teen is self-harming. However, remaining calm and engaging in an open-ended question without judgment about how they are feeling and the behaviours they have noticed that leads to their actions. Let you teen know you care about them, acknowledge their feelings and let them know they are listened too and it can build trust.

• Get Professional Help with self-harm and your teen. Get professional help for your teen that is self-harming is importance because you as a parent can learn to understand why your teen is self-harming, how to support your teen, and your teen will learn how to cope using healthy way and heal.

• Provide Emotional Support for your teen. Providing emotional support to your teen during this process is very vital. Be involved as parent in the process; spend time with your teen, be patient with your teen and understand that treatment takes time, help your teen come up with a plan of things that triggers, places, things, and people they can call when they feel overwhelmed.

Emem Iniobong is a Brandon MB, Canadian Certified Counsellor that helps children, teens, young adults, parents, and families in dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, parenting support to live a more fulfilled and bliss-ful life.