Coping and support

If you or a loved one needs help in coping, consider the tips below. If there's a focus on thoughts of suicide, take action and get help immediately.

Coping tips if you self-injure include:

• Connect with others who can support you so you don't feel alone. For example, reach out to a family member or friend, contact a support group, or get in touch with your doctor or mental health professional.
• Avoid websites that support or glamorize self-injury. Instead, seek out sites that support your recovery efforts.
• Learn to express your emotions in positive ways. For example, to help balance your emotions and improve your sense of well-being, become more physically active, practice relaxation techniques, or participate in dance, art or music.

Coping tips if your loved one self-injures include:

• Get information. Learn more about self-injury to help you understand why it occurs and help you develop a compassionate but firm approach to helping your loved one stop this harmful behavior. Know the strategies and relapse prevention plan your loved one has developed with the therapist so you can encourage it.
• Try not to judge or criticize. Criticism, yelling, threats or accusations may increase the risk of self-injuring behavior. Offer support, praise efforts to express emotions in healthy ways and try to spend positive time together.
• Let your loved one know you care no matter what. Remind the person that he or she is not alone and that you're available to talk. Recognize that you may not change the behavior, but you can help the person find resources, identify coping strategies and offer support during treatment.
• Support the treatment plan. Encourage your loved one to take prescribed medication and stress the importance of keeping therapy appointments. Remove or limit access to matches, knives, razor blades or other items that may be used for self-injury.
• Share coping strategy ideas. Your loved one may benefit from hearing strategies you use when feeling distressed. You can also serve as a role model by using appropriate coping strategies.
• Find support. Consider talking to people who've gone through what you're going through. Share your own experiences with trusted family members or friends. Ask your loved one's doctor or mental health professional if there are local support groups for parents, family members or friends of people who self-injure, or talk to a counselor or therapist.
• Take care of yourself, too. Take some time to do the things you enjoy doing, and get adequate rest and physical activity.