I just recently found out that my friend cuts herself. I want to help. What are some other "solutions" that could help her with her problems beside cutting?
Do you ever watch Degrassi? They have an episode where this girl Ellie is a cutter and her friend Paige finds out. She is really worried about her and doesn't know what to do, so she goes to the school counselor and tells her about the problem. The counselor helps her out, and after she is better, Ellie goes to meeting to help her deal with the possibility of cutting again, the same way an alcoholic goes to AA.
You should not try to handle this problem yourself cause it is already out of control. She knows she has a problem, and even if she becomes upset with you for telling (she may not have to know it was you if you tell the counselor you would like to remain anonymous... ) she will eventually thank you for getting her the help she needs. I could not imagine anyone being content with cutting themselve afterwards with seeing all of the scars they leave behind, so if you care for her do this for her! Hope your friend gets the help she needs.
Do NOT tell her "everything will be okay" or anything of the sort. Most of the time that is not what anyone who cuts themselves wants to feel. Obviously if they're cutting themselves they feel pretty much hopeless, etc. Just be be there for her when she needs someone to listen, or just sit with. Let her know you care and don't tell her to stop doing it or make her promise to stop it. Cutting is an addiction. Telling someone who cuts to stop is like telling someone whos addicted to drugs to stop. Well, most of the time anyway. J Just be there for her no matter what. I don't know your friend, or if she has any mental diorders and what not. If she gets mad she probably isn't and sometimes emotions can't be controled and people say things they don't mean. I know this will help somewhat, considering I've been slicing myself up for years.
The best thing to do is to help her deal with the problems and issues she has - they're the reason for her cutting. Help with them, and you help with the cutting. Otherwise, any other "solutions" are just an "Ambulance at the bottom of a cliff" solution - she still has the problems, she'll just use a different outlet. You need to help build the fence at the top of the cliff instead, so she doesn't need an outlet.
tell her that what ever it is that is bothering her tell someone before she hurts herself to and that you will be thwere for her no mater what
