What do I do if my teenager is self-harming?

Discovering that your teenager is self-harming is every parent's nightmare, but your response in this moment is crucial for their safety and your relationship. First, take it seriously - self-harm is not attention-seeking behavior or a phase they'll grow out of. It's a coping mechanism they're using to deal with emotional pain, and it indicates they need help. Respond with compassion rather than panic, anger, or punishment. Approach them calmly and let them know you're concerned and want to help. Ask direct questions about their self-harm: when it started, how often it happens, and what triggers it. Don't make them promise to stop - this puts pressure on them and may make them more secretive. Instead, work together to identify healthier coping strategies and remove easy access to means of self-harm. Seek professional help immediately from a therapist or counselor who specializes in adolescent self-harm. If they're in immediate danger or have suicidal thoughts, don't leave them alone and consider emergency services. Learn about self-harm so you can better understand what they're going through. Most importantly, let them know that you love them unconditionally and that you're going to work together to get through this. recovery support from self-harm takes time, patience, and professional support, but it is absolutely possible.