Learning that your teen is hurting themselves can feel frightening, confusing, and overwhelming. You may wonder why it is happening, how serious it is, and what you should do next.
Self-harm is often a sign that a teen is struggling to manage intense emotions, emotional pain, stress, or experiences they do not know how to express. With appropriate support and treatment, teens can learn safer ways to cope, communicate what they are experiencing, and begin to heal.
Self-harm, sometimes called non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), is the intentional act of hurting oneself without the intention of ending one's life. Common forms include cutting, scratching, burning, hitting, or other behaviors that cause physical injury.
While self-harm is different from a suicide attempt, it should always be taken seriously. Many teens who self-harm are experiencing significant emotional distress, and some may also have suicidal thoughts. A comprehensive mental health evaluation is important to understand your teen's level of risk and determine the most appropriate treatment.
Self-harm is often a coping strategy rather than a desire to die. Teens may use it to:
The relief self-harm provides is usually temporary. Without treatment, the behavior often continues or becomes more frequent over time.
Learn more about Teen Psychological Evaluations to understand how we assess self-harm, suicide risk, and the most appropriate level of care.
Some teens try to hide self-harming behaviors, making them difficult for parents to recognize. While no single sign confirms that a teen is self-harming, changes in behavior, mood, or appearance may indicate they are struggling and need support.
Parents may notice:
Not every teen who self-harms will show obvious physical injuries. Emotional and behavioral changes are often the first signs that something is wrong.
If you suspect your teen is self-harming, try to remain calm and approach the conversation with curiosity rather than anger or punishment. Creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment increases the likelihood that your teen will open up and accept help.
Learn more about the warning signs of emotional distress on our Teen Suicidal Thoughts page.
One of the most common questions parents ask is, "Why would my teen do this?" The answer is often more complex than it appears.
Self-harm is rarely about seeking attention. More often, it is an attempt to cope with emotional pain that feels overwhelming or impossible to express. While the behavior may provide temporary relief, it does not address the underlying struggles and can become an unhealthy coping pattern over time.
Teens may engage in self-harm for many reasons, including:
Every teen's experience is different. Understanding the reason behind the behavior is an important part of developing an effective treatment plan. A comprehensive evaluation can identify underlying mental health concerns and guide recommendations for therapy, medication management when appropriate, or a higher level of care such as an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating self-harm. Every teen's experiences, challenges, and strengths are different, which is why treatment should begin with a thorough understanding of what is driving the behavior.
At Krippa Family Psychological & Wellness Services, we develop individualized treatment plans based on your teen's needs, symptoms, and level of risk. Treatment may include one or more of the following services:
Our goal is not simply to stop the self-harming behavior. We work to understand what your teen is experiencing, address the underlying causes, teach healthier coping strategies, and help your family move toward lasting healing.
Self-harm should always be taken seriously, but not every situation is an emergency. Knowing when to seek immediate help can make all the difference.
Seek emergency care or call 911 immediately if your teen:
If your teen is not in immediate danger but is engaging in self-harm, do not wait to seek professional help. Early intervention can reduce the risk of more serious mental health concerns and help your teen develop healthier ways to cope before the behavior becomes more entrenched.
If you are unsure how urgent your teen's situation is, we can help you determine the most appropriate level of care. Depending on your teen's needs, recommendations may include outpatient therapy, medication management, psychological evaluation, or our Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
If your teen is in immediate danger or you believe they may act on suicidal thoughts, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.
You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support.
Discovering that your teen is self-harming can leave you feeling scared, helpless, or unsure of what to do next. Many parents worry about saying the wrong thing or making the situation worse. You are not expected to have all the answers.
Our team is here to help you understand what your teen is experiencing, assess their needs, and recommend the most appropriate level of care. Whether your teen would benefit from outpatient therapy, medication management, psychological evaluation, or our Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), we will guide you through the next steps with compassion and expertise.
The earlier a teen receives appropriate support, the greater the opportunity to build healthier coping skills, strengthen family relationships, and begin the healing process.
Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and learn which services may be the best fit for your family.
No. Self-harm and suicidal behavior are not the same. Many teens who self-harm are trying to cope with overwhelming emotional pain rather than end their life. However, self-harm is a significant warning sign of emotional distress and can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts over time. Every teen who self-harms should receive a comprehensive mental health evaluation.
Teens may self-harm for many reasons, including difficulty managing intense emotions, depression, anxiety, trauma, bullying, feelings of shame, or emotional numbness. Self-harm often provides temporary emotional relief but does not address the underlying problem.
Try to remain calm. Avoid reacting with anger, punishment, or ultimatums, as these responses can make it more difficult for your teen to seek help. Let your teen know you are concerned, that you love them, and that you want to understand what they are experiencing. Schedule a professional evaluation as soon as possible to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Reducing access to items your teen uses to self-harm can be an important part of a safety plan, but simply removing objects rarely addresses the underlying reasons for the behavior. Work with your teen's treatment provider to develop a comprehensive safety plan that supports both physical safety and emotional healing.
Seek immediate emergency care or call 911 if your teen has attempted suicide, has suicidal thoughts with a plan or intent, has injuries requiring medical attention, cannot remain safe, or is experiencing a mental health crisis. You can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support.
Teens who continue to struggle despite weekly therapy, experience worsening symptoms, engage in repeated self-harm, or need more structure and support may benefit from an Intensive Outpatient Program. A comprehensive evaluation can help determine the most appropriate level of care for your teen.
Yes. With appropriate treatment, family support, and healthy coping skills, many teens stop self-harming and learn more effective ways to manage difficult emotions. Recovery takes time, but early intervention and consistent support can make a significant difference.
We provide comprehensive psychological evaluations, individual therapy, family therapy, medication management, and our Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
Treatment recommendations are based on your teen's unique needs, symptoms, and level of risk.
If you're concerned that your teen is engaging in self-harm, you don't have to figure it out alone. Our team will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and help determine the most appropriate next step for your family.
Whether your teen needs a psychological evaluation, outpatient therapy, medication management, or our Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), we'll help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.