I am 14 and I’m in 9th grade, and I struggle with self harm and anxiety. I have been self harming since July. It started when I found out my best friend was raped by her mom and step-dad. It took an emotional and physical toll on me. I am still struggling with it today. I hated myself for so long and I am healing slowly. I haven’t had a relapse in a couple weeks..so yay me! I hope whoever reads this, know you’re not alone…no matter how alone you feel…:)
CONSIDER THIS:
- You should be proud of yourself. You have had to deal with stress and anxiety and have not relapsed for several weeks. You are still struggling to heal and you know how important it is to have support. Your message to other teens is inspiring.
- Remember that if you ever feel the urge to harm yourself in any way, you can reach out to others. The next time you have the urge to cut or are thinking about other types of self harm, please call CHILD HELP USA at 1-800-422-4453 and talk to someone about how you are feeling. You can talk to someone who wants to hear your story and help you.
- When you are feeling alone and anxious, even small things can seem overwhelming. Consider making a list of things that you like about yourself to help you focus on the positive. Also, think about what activities make you happy, and try and do some of them when you are feeling down. Some people find that exercise, listening to music, cooking, watching a movie or playing games improves their mood. For others, just writing down their feelings can make them feel better. The next time your are feeling down, think about why you are a great person, and then do something you enjoy.
- Please remember that you are an important and special person. You deserve to be happy. You are not alone. Please reach out to friends and family to discuss what you can do to continue to heal. Think about what adults in your life you can go to to get support when you need it. Stay strong as you continue to recover and be proud of how far you have come.
HELP YOURSELF:
- If you had a friend who has been cutting and is trying to keep from relapsing, what would you say to them?
- What do you like best about yourself?
- What are some of the activities that make you feel better?
- Who are some people who you can talk to the next time you feel the urge to cut?
