Indications of Teenagers Engaging in Self-Inflicted Harm
In a bid to help parents, caregivers, and educators identify and support teens who self-harm, psychologist Kristen Eastman, PsyD, and psychiatrist Zeyd Khan, MD, have shared some effective strategies.
Creating a Supportive Environment
One of the key strategies is to foster an environment that encourages open, non-judgmental communication. This helps teens feel safe discussing their feelings and behaviors, making it easier for them to seek help when needed.
Recognizing Warning Signs
Being attentive to behavioral changes is crucial. Warning signs may include social withdrawal, unexplained injuries, wearing long sleeves in warm weather, or mood swings. It's important to look for patterns of signs rather than individual signs to determine if a teen may be self-harming.
Asking Direct, Compassionate Questions
Approaching the topic calmly and without judgment is essential. Asking direct, compassionate questions can help understand the teen's reasons for self-harming.
Providing Professional Support
When dealing with self-harm, it's crucial to refer teens to mental health professionals who specialize in adolescent care for proper assessment and therapy. Dr. Khan states that self-injury is one of the strongest predictors of a future suicide attempt.
Teaching Coping Skills
Helping teens develop healthier ways to manage stress and emotional pain is vital. This can include mindfulness, journaling, or creative outlets.
Engaging Family and School
Involving parents, caregivers, and school personnel in support plans can create a consistent network of care. Having a trusted, caring adult at their side is important for a teen who is self-harming to work through their emotions.
Patience, Empathy, and Ongoing Support
Both experts emphasize the importance of patience, empathy, and ongoing support rather than punishment or dismissal when addressing self-harm behaviors in teens. Validating their emotions and letting them know you understand they're feeling overwhelmed is crucial.
Other Resources
Other resources include the Crisis Text Line and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine. If you're not sure where to start, talk to your pediatrician first.
Self-Harm in the COVID-19 Era
Self-injury rates increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there's some evidence the number may now be closer to 25%. A trigger event, such as rejection from a significant other, arguments with friends, bullying, cyberbullying, stress over academic performance, or household problems, can lead to self-harm.
If you suspect that your teen is self-harming, or if they tell you that they are, it's important not to react with anger or criticism. Teens may conceal self-harm by controlling the placement of injuries, covering injured areas, or using an unusual amount of bandages or first-aid supplies for "accidental" injuries.
If your child is having suicidal thoughts, head to an emergency room immediately. NSSI (Non-Suicidal Self-Injury) may be a form of communication - a cry for help in the hope that others will see their pain through the injuries and respond.
With your support and a professional's help, your teen can learn healthier ways of coping with tough emotions. Isolation and withdrawal from family and friends can indicate depression and potentially signal a move toward self-harm. Some may feel emotionally numb and view self-harm as the only way they can feel anything. Those who self-harm often view it as a form of release or a distraction from emotional pain.
Common forms of self-harm include cutting or piercing skin, scratching, picking, rubbing or biting skin, burning or branding skin, hitting oneself, and striking solid objects. If you suspect your teen is self-harming, it's important to quickly connect them to a mental health professional. Self-harm among teenagers is more common than expected, with nearly 1 in 5 teens having self-injured.
In the context of mental health, healthcare professionals advocate for the importance of teaching coping skills to help teens manage stress and emotional pain effectively, promoting health-and-wellness and mental health. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, self-harm among teenagers has become a cause for concern, with rates estimated to be closer to 25%. This underlines the need for the public to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with self-harm and seek professional advice when needed.
