Surrounded by depression and selfharm

[Emxlyx]

So I selfharmed from the age of 10 up until a few months ago when I stopped. Unfortunately a lot of people around me are either depressed or are self harmers. In a way it is quite a good and helpful thing as I know there are people who have been through the same things as me and can help me out but at the same time it makes cutting a lot more tempting for me. As well as this my boyfriend has told me that he thinks he might start self harming (he's really depressed because of some stuff that's been going on in his life lately) I don't want to be rude to him as I know how hard it is and at first cutting helps but over a long period of time it doesn't and it's just a circle. I want a way to help him but I'm not sure how.
Also, referring to my first topic, does anyone have any ideas about how I can prevent myself from cutting again as I'm trying hard not to start again?
Thanks :)

[Desuetude]

Honestly the best way to prevent someone is just to explain to them what you went through. I know he can never fully understand until he feels it himself but if he realises that in the long run it's in no way worth it - even for the small amount of relief he might feel at the beginning - then hopefully he'll listen to your advice and not start self harming. Just tell him that in the end it ends up consuming your instead of you controlling it. You can only be there for him and try to prevent him from starting because it's only going to be harder to stop after that, as you'd know. Maybe tell him how it feels to see all the people that self harm around you and how triggering that is for you, I mean I know that might seem like guilt tripping but that might give him even more of an insentive not to start as he should care about you and your feelings.

I know what you mean about other people harming around you being triggering or just a constant reminder. I mean if it's constant the rubber band around your wrist that you ping as you get the urge might be a good one? It's not harmful like self harming is but it still gives you a something to feel and hopefully it'll minimise the urge somewhat. If you haven't already I suggest looking through this thread of ways to stop/prevent self harming (http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=190748) and if you try one method and it doesn't work the don't feel disheartened just keep trying new ones until you find one that works for you. The Butterfly Project or writing things down when you get the urge tends to be 2 that work for a lot of people.

Just remember that if you do relapse you can always pick yourself back up and get back to the point you're at. You know that you're capable of stopping now and relapsing does not mean you should give up trying to stop completely.