If you feel this strongly that you need to get help. I'm sure your parents will be more than helpful and do anything to help you. They may not understand at first. But they will come to terms with it. I don't think/hope that they would deny you help, especially with self harm.

thak you for your advice. MUCH LOVE

If you're anything like me, it will be difficult, extremely difficult, to talk to them about it. In my case, I needed someone else to tell them. Buttttttt it has to be in a safe situation that you're in control of.
Perhaps if you have a close, adult friend that your parents also know, you could talk to that friend first and then ask them to tell your parents. If you don't have any adult friends or friends of your family or anything like that, you can go to your church leader and ask them to help you tell your parents. You could talk to the counselor at school. You can do it yourself, obviously, and just be really open about it. You could write them a note. You could video tape what you wanna say to them, and then play it for them. I really hope you do discuss this with them.
More adults than we realize understand how much of a struggle this is. The only difference between our generation and theirs is that we can talk about it.
It doesn't matter how or when (sooner the better, don't let yourself get worse!!). It's whatever you're comfortable doing. The only thing that is important is being honest with them that you really need help.
I'd say good luck, but I don't think you need it. Being strong enough to admit your problem and admit that you need help shows a deep inner strength that will help you through everything. You don't need luck, you will be okay and you can get through this!

When I told my parents, I did it by writing a letter. Well, an email actually, but i guess it can be whatever you feel most comfortable with. I actually only wrote my mom, because her and I are the closest, and she ended up telling my dad.

Honestly, I wish I had done it sooner. Their reaction was mainly concern, and guilt, thinking it was their fault, like they did something wrong, and why they hadn't suspected anything, etc. Now I'm almost two years free of SI, and while it's difficult, I now know I can use my parents as another level of support.

So, see if the letter idea seems like a good one to you. Even if you just tell one parent, it'll be a HUGE STEP, and you will feel such relief, I promise! Secrecy is a huge factor in what keeps us sick. It takes a lot of courage to take this step, but it's worth it.

Stay strong!
xoxo.

I was just wondering if you've been able to talk to your folks yet? I know it's so incredibly difficult, but being a parent who cuts...well, even though it's really, really hard, and I would be upset and angry and scared on impulse, I would want to know if my child was dealing with something this awful, if they were in this much pain, if they were this scared all the time....

I hope things get better for you....

Kat

thank you to everyone for your replies. I havent told my parents yet, im too chicken. I hopefully will after i get my senior year started. I havent self-harmed in about 2 weeks and i am proud of that, i just need to build up some courage before i teel them. I once wrote them a letter but i just didnt have the strngth to give it to them. I appreciate all of your support and knowing you all are helping me hopefully i will be able to tell them sooner or later. thank you soooo much!!!! i will let all of you know when i tell them!

I'm glad your doing okay, and it's great that you havn't cut in 2 weeks, that is incredible.

I'm here if you ever need to talk, privately or however, just wanted to make sure you knew that.

Kat

I know how scary it can be to tell your parents and to ask for help when you're 17 and not sure how they'll react. My best friend found out about my self harming 4 months ago and he gave me two weeks to tell them I needed help and whatever I wanted to share or keep hidden. So I freaked out on him and stopped talking to him, but I still ended up telling them within those two weeks and the weight it lifted off my shoulders was amazing, even though sitting them down was the scariest thing I have ever done. And now I am 2 and half months from the last time I self harmed and getting stronger everyday. I wish you luck and you can message me anytime if you have any questions or just want to talk

blondtroll, I'm glad you were able to tell your folks and things worked out well for you. Sometimes just getting that stress out of your life, makes it easier to deal. I'm glad you have friends that care about you that much. And you being cutfree for 2 1/2 months is awesome, keep up the good and hard work!!!!

Kat