Are you experiencing thoughts of self-harm? These thoughts often arise when a person has trouble controlling, expressing or understanding their emotions. Inflicting pain on yourself can be a sign that you haven’t learned how to cope with stress and emotional pain in a healthy way. If you’re a teen thinking about hurting yourself, it’s vital that you get help as soon as possible. Suicide prevention programs and other forms of mental health treatment can help you handle your thoughts and find a healthy solution. If you think you may be a threat to yourself, call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support.

Self-harming is serious, in some cases requiring emergency medical attention. In 2020, approximately 105,000 youths aged 14 to 18 years visited emergency departments for self-harm injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC also found that a growing number of students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in recent years. In 2021, this number included 57% of girls (up from 36% in 2011), 29% of boys, and 69% of LGBTQ+ students, according to a survey of youth mental health trends from 2011 to 2021. These persistent negative feelings can lead to a lot of troubling thoughts and behaviors, including thoughts of self-harm. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to better understand your feelings and manage destructive thoughts.

Steps to manage thoughts of self-harm

• Talk to a trusted adult — If you’re thinking about self-harm, don’t try to hide your thoughts or keep them to yourself. Reaching out to someone you trust can enable you to get the support you need. Whether it’s a parent, coach or teacher, sharing your thoughts and feelings with a trusted adult can also offer immediate relief. After being secretive about your experiences, sharing them with someone else is often cathartic. Expressing yourself can help you feel more validated and less alone. By talking to a trusted adult, you can also benefit from their continued support as you take further steps to manage your thoughts of self-harm.

• Seek professional treatment — When dealing with thoughts of self-harm, sometimes you need extra help. Teen-focused mental health treatment options like one-on-one therapy can provide the additional support you need. Mental health treatments are not one-size-fits-all. A solution that works for one person might not be as effective for someone else. For some people, regular therapy sessions aren’t enough. If you’re continuing to experience thoughts of self-harm despite continued therapy, it may be time to seek a different level of care. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) can be a great next step, providing the benefits of structured care without the life disruptions of inpatient treatment.

• Create a safety plan — Having a comprehensive safety plan is essential for managing thoughts of self-harm. To ensure that your safety plan is thorough, you may want to collaborate with your therapist. Involving family members and close friends can also be helpful. When the people close to you are aware of your safety plan, they can help you take the steps necessary to make sure it works. These steps may include avoiding triggers, making your home environment safer and practicing alternative coping mechanisms. You can make your environment safer by intentionally limiting your access to harmful items such as sharp tools. With a well-thought-out safety plan, you can reduce your risk of experiencing and acting on thoughts of self-harm.

Are thoughts of self-harm normal?

People often feel like they’re abnormal or odd for experiencing thoughts of self-harm. This can lead to fear and hesitations about sharing their feelings. If you’re thinking about self-harm, it’s important to understand that your thoughts don’t signify that there is anything inherently wrong with you. Many people experience these thoughts, especially when dealing with traumatizing situations and intense emotions. However, it is also crucial that you don’t ignore your thoughts. Thoughts of self-harm are relatively common in teens, but this does not take away from their significance. Proactive management of these thought processes is vital for preventing any escalation. 

Embrace U can help address your thoughts of self-harm

Embrace U is here to help you improve your mental health and break away from thought patterns related to self-harm. After a free clinical consultation, our team can help you receive outpatient treatment tailored to your needs. With a comprehensive treatment approach including group therapy, we can work with you to identify and address the causes behind your thoughts of self-harm and other symptoms.

Contact our team today for more information about our treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment.