Once upon a time cutting was basically unheard of. Now it is a surprisingly common issue among teenagers. Although girls tend to cut more frequently, boys also struggle with self injury. Cutting generally starts in early adolescents and continues into the early 20’s.
Cutting is not done for the purposes of suicide. It is instead, more of a coping method to manage overwhelming feelings such as sadness and anxiety. This is not to say that cutters do not feel suicidal but cutting is generally not a suicide attempt.
Because cutting has become so commonplace in middle and upper class families, parents sometimes do not take it as seriously as they might have even ten years ago. Even if your child is cutting but not drawing blood it is important to take these behaviors as a serious cry for help. It is better to be wrong than to blow off your child’s feelings as a silly teenage fad.
Do:
1. Take the signs of self harm seriously.
2. Contact a therapist as soon as possible.
3. Express your love and concern to your child.
Don’t:
1. Freak out. That never helps anything.
2. Place blame on yourself, your child, or anyone else.
3. Ignore it and hope it goes away.
Parenting is an ever changing adventure. You don’t have to be the expert, but do your research. Learn about the resources in your area and online. In the long run we can only do our best and leave the rest up to fate.