Thinking About Telling Your Parents You’re Self-Harming?
- Sally Panks
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Thinking About Telling Your Parents You’re Self-Harming?
If you’re self-harming, I want you to know this: you are not bad, broken, or weak. You’re someone who’s trying to cope with really difficult feelings, and that takes strength, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.
You might be wondering whether you should tell your parents. I understand how scary that can feel. You might worry they’ll be angry, upset, or won’t understand. But keeping it a secret can make things feel even heavier. Most parents want to help, even if they’re shocked or don’t know what to say at first.
If you’re thinking about telling them, here’s some advice that might make it a bit easier:
• Write down what you want to say. That way, if you get nervous, you have the words ready.
• Pick a calm time. Try not to bring it up in the middle of an argument or when they’re really busy.
• Be as honest as you can. You could say something like, “I’ve been hurting myself because I don’t know how else to deal with my feelings. I want help.”
If you don’t feel ready to tell them just yet, that’s okay. You could start by talking to another adult you trust, like a teacher, counsellor, or family friend, who can support you.
The most important thing is: you don’t have to go through this on your own. Reaching out is a brave first step toward feeling better, and there are people who truly want to help you.
Don’t forget our private support group has young people, just like you, wanting to help you through difficult times 🧡💚
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