cutting urself intentionally. need advice.

Former Member

this isnt for me, but im a mentor at my school. i look after little children, for there first year in the senior school. and this guy is so depressed that he has been cutting himself, what do i say to him, whats wrong, i want to help him, but he isnt responding to anyone.

Former Member

just listen to him talk about it, if he wants to. if he doesnt, ask him stuff like why he does it, how often, what he uses, how he feels before he does it, how he feels after, other things he could do instead of doin that. in other words, make him realise that it san ok thing to talk about, coz most ppl kinda consider it a taboo subjetc, and he may feel that he cant talk to anyone thru fear of bein judged. oh u could also put ureself in his shoes and take it from there. beins as i dont know much about him, i cant really say much more. just reassure him that ure there to listen if he wants to talk about it, but try not to force ureself onto him. hope that helps.

Former Member

I'd have to agree with everything that Charley has said already. I would add that you should try to get him to see his gp and get the medical treatment he sounds so desperately needs. Try not to take tooo much on and fight his battles for him just be a friend and try to be there when he needs to talk chances are he won't open right up imediately and will also clam up with to much probing. Good luck, there are also several threads in this forum you may have already read if not have a read, they might help u understand what he might be experiencing also in the health section of thesite there is a usefull area on self harm.

Take care Chris
Luk

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I think it's because I'm clumsy
I try not to talk to loud
I think it's because I'm crazy
I try not to act to proud

Former Member

You could have a look at this article too, and there are a couple of useful sites listed at the bottom of the page.
http://www.thesite.org/health/headstate/self_harm.html

Former Member

oh and there are LOADS of sites out there that are good for that stuff www.selfinjury.freeserve.co.uk is pretty good, and has links 2 loads loads more. <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;