Telling Parents

Feel free to move this post if there's a better place for it, I'm not entirely sure where to put it...

So my two best friends found out that I SI and are saying if I don't tell my parents by Wednesday, they'll come over and tell them. I have a lot of trust issues with my parents, but at this point I understand I just need to tell them everything that is going on because mental health issues are just piling up.

I need help on multiple things because I'm not all that experienced in telling people my issues

1) I cry every time I talk about something personal. I know that when I tell them I'll lose a lot of my "credibility," I guess, by crying and not being able to straight up tell them what's going on. I've been told before by both of my parents that crying is just seeking self-pity, so even if I don't believe that I'd rather have them take me seriously. How can I talk to them and stay calm?

2) How do I bring it up? I've come so close to telling them in the past but I never know how to start the conversation. I'd rather do it in a secluded place because I have younger siblings who I'd rather not have exposed to a lot of what I'm going to tell my parents. I'm not sure whether or not I want to tell both or just one, but I'm not sure that's relevant.

3) When should I talk to them? My second major struggle with talking to them is finding the perfect moment when they aren't angry with me, stressed/grumpy, or overly proud of me. The last time we talked about mental illness (when my mom found a narrative essay I had written for school), she was supportive, but I could tell it stressed her out and that she really didn't believe I had any actual illness. This makes it hard for me to know when to reach out and when she will believe me.

Thank you all for your time and I'd be happy for any of these answered soon so I can not procrastinate. I would be okay with half-answers or answers for specific questions, I don't really care. I just need as much information as I can before moving forward

I love you all and thanks for being continually supportive

I will also post what I was planning on starting with and I want to make sure it will work and not just sound good in my head:

"I need to tell you something that I've been working up the courage to tell you for months now. I need you to promise you'll hear me out and not judge me before I tell you anything"

Unfortunately there is never a good time. There are times that are better than others but waiting for the right time will just aggravate you. The opening line sounds good and it is a good idea to not drag the siblings into it at least not at first.

Good luck

Your opening line sounds good. Practice in your mind or even on paper what you plan to say. Either tell your parents that you need to talk to them or look for opportunities to catch one or the other or both and have the conversation. It might go better then you think. Your mom dropped the ball when you wrote that essay and she didn't question you. As for crying, we have tear ducts for a reason. If you cry that is ok. It's part of the human experience.

Btw, those are good and caring friends you have.

Good luck with your parents and best wishes.