Your friend tells you they cut...what do you do and say?

• Don't freak out. If you do that, it can make it so your friend won't talk to you. It also won't help the situation, when all you are doing is freaking out and they are asking for your help.
• They aren't crazy!.. the sad truth is many people cut. So don't make them feel crazy.
• Listen!! Its important that your friend can talk out all their feelings to you. Sometimes all a friend needs is another friend to listen.
• Try to understand them, even if you don't know exactly how they feel.
• Don't try to force them to stop, if they aren't ready to stop they won't do it. If you force them to stop and they then relapse, this can cause them to be more depressed, because they will feel like they have failed even more.
• Don't judge them. Society is so judgmental of people who cut.
• Don't take away someone's cutting 'tools' or SI (self-injury) 'tools' if they are really determined to hurt themselves they will find a way, which could be even more dangerous.

About Cutting...

• cutting is one way a person can harm them selves.
• wrists are probably the most common place where people will cut, but that's not only one. Other spots include the stomach, hips, or ankles.
• cutting can be a very addictive habit. Once you get going, it can almost be impossible to stop.
• cutting is not the only way people can harm them selves. Other ways include; burning, & banging body parts.
• just because a person cuts does not mean they are suicidal.

• there are many reason's why people cut.
• some include; depression, they want control, they need physical pain to help take away their emotional pain, it's a habit they just can't stop.
• every time someone cuts it usually makes them feel good. This is because the brain releases a chemical, giving a person the feeling of being 'high'.
• when someone cuts it makes them feel like they have control over there life.
• even if the pain of cutting only lasts a few minutes, to some people it is worth it.

• cutting can get to the point that it is almost impossible to stop
• you can get scares that will be there for the rest of your life(would you want to explain to your kids how you got them?)
• it worries all the people who love you...and yes there are people who DO love you
• there is always a chance you will cut to deep.

What should you do if you want to cut?..

• try talking to someone (like a friend) if possible
• write in a journal
• play with play dough
• keep you hands busy
• snap an elastic on your wrist
• squeeze ice cubes in your hand until they melt
• go have a nap
• go for a walk
• say things that are around you. Like i am sitting on a soft bed, i have blue walls, my hair is soft. keep doing that until you get calm.

Cutters (please tilte the e-mail website)
    I hope you can give this page to your friends
so they will be able to understand you better.
If i have left anything out or you would like to
comment please write to me.  E-mail me!