SELF-HARM

EVERY SEVENTEEN MINUTES

EACH DAY APPROXIMATELY

SIGNS OF CUTTING

• Unexplained wounds
• Blood stains
• Sharp objects/cutting instruments
• Frequent accidents
• Covering up

GET HELP FROM CONFIDENT PEOPLE

• Friends
• Teachers
• Counselor
• Relatives

FOCUS ON YOUR FEELINGS

COMMUNICATE IN WHATEVER WAY

GIVE THE PERSON TIME TO PROCESS

FIGURE OUT WHY YOU CUT

LEARN TO MANAGE OVERWHELMING

IDENTIFY YOUR SELF-HARM TRIGGERS

GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FEELINGS

FIND NEW COPING TECHNIQUES

IF YOU CUT TO EXPRESS PAIN OR EMOTIONS

• Paint, draw, or scribble on a big piece of paper with red ink or paint
• Express your feelings in a journal
• Compose a poem or song to say what you feel
• Write down any negative feelings and then rip the paper up
• Listen to music that expresses what you’re feeling

IF YOU CUT TO RELEASE TENSION OR ANGER

• Exercise vigorously—run, dance, jump rope, or hit a punching bag
• Punch a cushion or mattress or scream into your pillow
• Squeeze a stress ball or squish Play-Doh or clay
• Rip something up (sheets of paper, a magazine)
• Make some noise (play an instrument, bang on pots and pans)

HELPING A FRIEND WHO SELF-HARMS

• Deal with your own feelings.
• Learn about the problem
• Don’t judge
• Offer support, not ultimatums
• Encourage communication