My best friend

My best friend lately has been self harming. I've told her that she's amazing and that I couldn't live without her, but even when I try to help her, it doesn't help. When I tell her to stop, she laughs and continues.She also show the scars to other people and tells them to keep it secret. I don't know if she's doing it for a reason or if she's doing it for attention.

I may be wrong here, but I think that showing people and asking to keep it a secret is kinda an attention seeking. And laughing when you ask her to stop I think is like saying she probably can’t and believes you can’t stop her

I’d just be her friend. Offer support only when it’s needed. And just be there for her. Make sure she knows that.

But I’m pretty sure others here can offer more help than I did

Idk what it is but its probably best to show her how much it can affect her later in life, looks, getting a job, ect. This will probably be the best because if she does stop, good, if she doesn't, it's an addiction. Then you will know just what it is. Tbh she might have started for attention but it could be different now.

The thing to do to get her to stop, Honestly, is to threaten to tell an adult. Or actually tell an adult.

Don't threaten to tell an adult or tell an adult to get her to stop. Only do that if you think her life is in danger. Because threatening that stuff could make the whole situation worse. The best thing you can do is be there for her, let her know you care about her. Maybe try telling her to call or text you first if she feels like hurting herself. Talking could help her. Show her the alternatives to self harm, such as squeezing ice, flicking her wrist with an elastic band, drawing lines on her arm with a red marker, the butterfly project etc. And honestly if you think she is doing all this for attention, then just give it to her. Because if she feels she's being ignored it could esculate.

Originally Posted by LunaHermione

Don't threaten to tell an adult or tell an adult to get her to stop. Only do that if you think her life is in danger. Because threatening that stuff could make the whole situation worse. The best thing you can do is be there for her, let her know you care about her. Maybe try telling her to call or text you first if she feels like hurting herself. Talking could help her. Show her the alternatives to self harm, such as squeezing ice, flicking her wrist with an elastic band, drawing lines on her arm with a red marker, the butterfly project etc. And honestly if you think she is doing all this for attention, then just give it to her. Because if she feels she's being ignored it could esculate.

Two years ago, a girl committed suicide at our school, and was on the brink of death. She had overdosed on so many pills and cut herself. All because a teacher found out that she was using kitchen knives to cut herself in school. And my friend's a bit like that girl. They are both attention seekers, and when things don't go their way, they will make it.
I don't want her to hurt herself because I did something against her will, but I also want to tell a teacher because it's just getting out of hand.

I had a friend that self harmed, the best way to help is by making them feel needed

Well be there for her. Let her know she is loved.

I can relate to what appears to be her side in the story as people can't help or it doesn't feel that way at least. Like other people have said, just try and be there to support her when she needs you. I feel so guilty because my friend has just started and I feel like if i hadn't then she wouldn't have. All I can do is support her and that's the same for you.

I have a best friend exactly like this too but even if it may partly be for attention i think the worst thing to do there is dismiss her as only attention seeking because in the case of my friend, she had a really toxic homelife. For her it was a cry for someone to help her and luckily a lotta people did, so id say just be accepting in every way you can and refraim from judging before you know the whole story