The moment you discover your child or teenager is self harming, can be confronting, stressful and scary. You may be worried, think maybe you’ve done something wrong. How did this happen?

Self harming is a coping mechanism to cope with life’s challenges.

8% of young people in Australia engage in self harm each year.

The teenage years can be a challenging time for your child. Outside influences such as peer pressure, life events, bullying, sexual experiences or discoveries, or a chaotic family life can impact a young persons day.

So what do you do next?

Our Clinical Psychologist Rebecca Deane talks through self harming, and as a parent what to do when this becomes a challenge for your family. She gives you her insight into why young people self harm, and what happens in their brain and their body through this process.

One you’re aware your child or teen is self harming, it’s important to follow these 4 simple rules as your first step.

If the self harming continues after you have tried these tips with your chid, it is crucial for you to see a psychologist. A psychologist can work with you as the parent, to navigate what to do at home, plus can also work with the child and their challenges, to support them with healthy ways to cope with life’s challenges they are facing. Healthy coping mechanisms are part of our therapy structure, and we can teach your child, and also yourself, on how to implement these positive changes at home. You’ll walk away with tools that equip your family.

Contact us for an appointment today if you need some support