Self-Harm Related Content

When Teens Turn to Self-Harm: Signs, Support, and Hope

Most people imagine self-harm as something obvious—visible, dramatic, impossible to miss. But for many teens, it lives in the quiet: behind locked bathroom doors, beneath long sleeves, in moments that don’t look like a crisis from the outside. Self-harm, often called “cutting” or clinically referred...

Richard’s Story: You Are Worthy of Being Here

Richard started writing music when he was 17, after being assigned to journal about his days in high school. He enjoyed it so much that he started to write poetry, songs, and raps. It was very cathartic. Outside of those outlets, I felt like I wasn’t given permission to be vulnerable like that...

Sara’s Story: I’m More Than a Survivor—I’m a Thriver

At age 56, Sara, an administrator at a law firm, remembers feeling exhausted. Money had been tight, so she had taken out a third mortgage on her home. A short time later, the 2007 financial crisis hit and real estate values plummeted. Sara worried her teenage son wouldn’t be able to attend college...

Daria’s Story: You Deserve To Feel Better

You deserve to feel better. You deserve recovery. And as hard as it is, it is worth it. This is what Daria would have told her 11-year-old self when the uncontrollable crying at night turned into depression, suicidal thoughts, and hurting herself. It was easy enough to mask at school and ignore her...

Jessika’s Story: I Felt Like I Had To Be Silent

Jessika had a secret. Ever since losing two close friends to suicide, one being her high school best friend, Jessika has worked tirelessly in the field of suicide prevention—urging those who are desperate to step forward and seek help. What she never told anyone until recently was that she, too...

Beth’s Story: Because of You, I Didn’t Give Up

Like many people coping with mental health conditions, Beth has had a rocky experience with the health care system. Diagnosed with eating disorders, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), anxiety, severe major depression, alcoholism, and borderline personality disorder, Beth has been in...

Sarah’s Story: Staying Well Is a Lifelong Process

I believe that my path has been challenging for a reason, and I want to use my success to help educate others. There is nothing to hide, it’s okay to not be okay, and it shouldn’t be taboo to talk about it. Sarah’s path to recovery from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit disorder...

Meredith’s Story: You Never Know What People Are Going Through

Depression can impact anyone, at any time. But for Meredith, the episodes were cyclical—and severe. I went deeper into depression around when I got my period. I would end up in the hospital because I would be suicidal—taking pills and cutting. In fact, between the ages of 16 and 19, Meredith was...

Christina’s Story: Music Speaks for Me When I Don’t Know What To Say

Christina’s fondest memories growing up involved music—singing in a children’s choir, blasting Carole King and The Beatles, and dancing in the living room with her mother and brother. I could sing before I could talk. I sang on stage at Carnegie Hall in 2010. But Christina had an uneasy childhood...

Video: Addressing and Preventing Self-Harm in Kids & Teens

Growing up is difficult, and can result in a barrage of overwhelming thoughts and emotions in kids and teens. Self-harm is a way that they may try to cope with strong feelings they’re experiencing—but it’s also a sign of serious distress, may point to other mental health concerns, and could have...

Profile: Jill Nowak, MSW, LICSW

Jill Nowak, MSW, LICSW, is an independently licensed clinical social worker and the director of admissions and referral liaison for McLean Hospital’s 3East residential DBT program, which treats adolescents and young adults struggling with emotion dysregulation, depression, trauma, and self...

Profile: Kristen L. Batejan, PhD

Kristen L. Batejan, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at the 3East Partial Hospital Program at McLean Hospital and an instructor in psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Batejan is experienced in treating adolescents and young adults struggling with...

Profile: Nora Gerardi, PsyD

Nora Gerardi, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist with expertise in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Her clinical specialties include suicide and self-injury, emotion dysregulation, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder. Dr. Gerardi is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician™...