Medically reviewed by Amir Zegar, DO
12 Apr 2019
By Psychiatrist Dr Ferrin
Realizing your child may be self-harming can cause a lot of worry. It can be a shock to hear that your child has deliberately hurt themselves, and you’ll want to help them as much as possible. Unfortunately, a lot of parents go about this in the wrong way.
Our team at Memorial Village ER has put together the following tips for parents with children that self-harm. Our Psychiatric emergency services are available for parents and their children in Houston. Please visit us now or give us a call to let us know you are coming.
Use Caution
If you believe your child or loved one is harming themselves deliberately, use caution when approaching them about the issue. Young people that harm themselves may feel ashamed of their behavior. Approaching them negatively is not recommended. Be calm and empathize with their situation and the emotions that follow.
Listen
When you begin the discussion with a child that self-harms, it is important to make sure you listen attentively so that they feel encouraged to speak to you about their feelings. Younger people often feel like they are unheard or misunderstood by others, and creating a safe space allows them to discuss their thoughts and problems freely.
Be Empathetic
Keep it simple and use empathetic language that does not sound negative, making sure they have a chance to voice and validate their experiences. Show understanding and always offer support and hope in a situation that may seem hopeless for your child.
More Practical Tips
There are other ways you can help your child open up about their problems and discuss self-harm, including:
- Remaining calm
- Validating their emotions and acknowledging struggles
- Avoiding punishment or minimizing their emotions
- Focus on the underlying issues rather than the act of self-harming
- Encourage healthy coping strategies
You may also want to seek care from a psychiatric in Houston. In situations that are more urgent, visit an emergency room near you for immediate help for your child. The situation can be handled in an effective way as long as you remain calm and approach the situation in a cautious way that makes your child feel safe and heard.