My friend has seemed really depressed lately for about 4 days now and, today on the bus home i noticed cuts all the way up his arms. Im pretty positive its SI. His friend hasnt been very supportive of him and im really worried. I asked him what was wrong, and he said nothing, then i told him that if he ever needed to talk that i was here. He said that nothing was wrong and stopped texting me. I see him everyday at school but i dont know what to do. Any advise'

[mum2four]

Originally Posted by niamhh504

My friend has seemed really depressed lately for about 4 days now and, today on the bus home i noticed cuts all the way up his arms. Im pretty positive its SI. His friend hasnt been very supportive of him and im really worried. I asked him what was wrong, and he said nothing, then i told him that if he ever needed to talk that i was here. He said that nothing was wrong and stopped texting me. I see him everyday at school but i dont know what to do. Any advise'

some time just letting a friend know you'll be there for them if thay eva need you is the best thing you can do......other try to drop some stories into conversation to see if you can get a him to talk. the more you make him feel like you undestand and wont judge him the better you'll both feel. being to pushy even with the best intenstion proberly wont work.....trust me I've been there done that stuffed up too many friendship tring to help...

its terrible to see him go through this, me and him have been really close now since summer. If it gets worse im going to have to tell an adult, which he really wont like. He told me he scrapped his arm off the wall but a wall wouldnt leave his arm like that. It was like zig zags. I just really want to help. =(

[Christina86]

Nobody likes being "told on" to an adult, but I'm sure that even if your friend gets mad, that eventually they'd appreciate the help. Going through self injury by yourself and trying to cope is HARD.

As for what YOU can do, how much do you know about self injury? There are a lot of good books out there that may help you understand. And if you so choose, you could also give your friend the book after you finished reading so they know they're not alone in dealing with this.

i know quite a bit about self injury, first hand expirencce, which is why im so worried. i dont want him to go down the same road as me. I helped my other friend stop hers for a bit and then she went to a theripist, but i cant help if he wont let me. its so frustrating!

Today he seemed a little happier, and he didnt seem to mind that i asked him yesterday about anything, i think he was a tiny bit happier that someone cares and will be here fo him, and took notice of him, because his friend seems to be avoiding him today. but he still isnt as happy as he used to be.
im worried about him. but if he wants to talk to me about it he will, ill just keep showing him that im here for him.

[mum2four]

Originally Posted by niamhh504

i know quite a bit about self injury, first hand expirencce, which is why im so worried. i dont want him to go down the same road as me. I helped my other friend stop hers for a bit and then she went to a theripist, but i cant help if he wont let me. its so frustrating!

If your really worried then telling an adult is the best thing you can do....as a person who's mum did not care I really stress the importance of talking to a person that WILL or should understand how to help and not make the matter worse by not understanding......If you feel you have to tell an adult can you tell a school councilor who can then stress the importance of the best way to help him.......

yes I get thats its so frustrating to stand by and wonder if it worth the risk or trying to weight friendship up against the posiablity of loosing them or letting them loose them self to some negative. What eva you decide please try not judge your self harshly if things dont go smoothly for lack of a better word.

thank you guys i really appraitiate your comments. I think i'll see how he goes over the week then think it through and decide what i think would be the best to do... Thank you guys!