Helping a friend

[Clawhammer]

Hi all, haven't posted in quite a while, reason I'm back is to help a close friend of mine out.
Just wondering, from people who would know better than I do, what can I do to help my friend to not self harm? I'm always there to talk to her and such, but what else can I do? She also has some smoking and drinking problems she's been fighting, all I can really do right now is encourage her to not give up. Wish I could do more, she gets me worried sometimes.
Any tips?

[Iris]

In my opinion the best you can do is to constantly be there for her. If she knows that no matter what crap happens to her, she always has someone to turn to, it'll really help her. People really underestimate the power of support.
Maybe tell her that whenever she wants to self harm she should call you or something so you can give her the strength to fight the urge.
It's great that you're being there for her instead of running away like some people do :)

[MadManWithaBox]

If you force her to get help, or tell anyone, she'll resent you. Try to ease her into getting help, don't force it, and just be there for her constantly.

[Love.Hate]

I think your doing everything you can, just by being there, but make sure you keep reminding her you are there.. you could also talk about getting help? But like Matt said dont force her into it, just look out for her and be there in times of need.

You could also provide her with distractions?

[Clawhammer]

Thanks guys, I'll keep at it.
Yeah, I don't pressure her into getting help, seems that she's already tried therapy and I don't think it worked to well. Can't say I'm surprised about that, really. It has its uses, this is one area in which I think it can do more bad than good.

[grejamjones01]

In my opinion the best you can do is to constantly be there for her. If she knows that no matter what crap happens to her, she always has someone to turn to, it'll really help her. People really underestimate the power of support.

[Weeping]

Tell her like.. That she can call you etc. if she needs to, no matter if it's in the middle of the night..

And.. that you wont tell anyone if she don't want you to, but that you'll be there to help her if she decides to get help.

Aaaaaaaaand so on.. xD

Though, don't say anything unless you're 100% serious about it.


Also try to help her find something else to do. Distractions.

[XxMurderedKissesxX]

Tell her you'll be there for her.
Youve probably heard some of these b4 but..
Elastic bands,squeezing ice cubes,stabbing cardboard,painting,writing,jogging,put pepper or hot sauce on your tongue,write on red marker on her wrist,draw a butterfly on her wrist/leg/wherever she SHs and name it after someone she loves,and when she Shs it "kills" the butterfly. Get a red bracelet and every month she doesnt SH she replaces a red bead with a white one..Um...Maybe try talking to her about why she does it,ext
Good luck : )