u kno what, here's a thread of the reasons behind self harm and helpful things to say/ ideas to suggest to somebody who struggles with self harm: https://twitter.com/zackluvr/status/1305290319840391169

self harm is a coping mechanism. whether it be you're suffering from mental illness, like depression or anxiety, or something's happening in your life at that moment, it's something to help that person feel better.

a couple reasons somebody may be self harming:

it helps them to feel mentally strong if they feel physical pain.

a punishment for themself.

just because they like to harm themselfs.

it's very hard to get someone out of the mindset that self harming is good for them, that as long as they don't take it to far they'll be fine. they may never get out of that thought, but as long as you show you're there for them, it'll be a nice feeling.

//things to suggest to do when somebody's thinking about relapsing:

freeze an orange or lemon, and once it's VERY cold, hold it in your hand for as long as you want. it'll start to hurt, burn even, but it doesn't leave scars.

bake something, make a meal,
listen to things that calms you down while you do so.

have a trusted person hide your tool for you, or if you're like me, my tool is a comfort item for me. i need to know what room it's in or else i'll feel very anxious and upset. let them put it somewhere you can't get to-

and somewhere that you can know where it is without being able to reach for it. ex. "it's in the kitchen" (this has worked for me, i'm not saying it'll work for everyone)

use a rubber band or hairbow. everytime you feel like you'll relapse, pull it so it smacks wherever you're wearing it.

draw somebody who struggles with self harm, even if it's a stick figure, put your form of self harm on their body and do that until the urge goes away/ lifts.

things to say to somebody who self harms/ has self harm scars:

"i don't think any lesser of you"

"you're so strong"

"i'm so proud of you"

"you're doing so good"

"your scars show how strong you are that you made it through that"

"i'll be here with you through every relapse, thought or action, okay?"

this is the ending of the thread :) thank u if u read this through. i've struggled with self harm for 5 years now and it means so much that you read about how to help.

reminders: never point out somebody's scars. if you see fresh relapses on somebody, don't point them out, ask them privately if they want to talk about it. and if they don't, don't push them.

these are things that have been said to me or suggested to me that have helped me. this may not work for every person who self harms, but i hope it will help somebody who's struggling.

reminder that i love you and you're so strong !!!!! <3

//end of thread