Please read and respond. I want to stop :(

[bayhorse321]

I did it again. I was doing good or so I thought. I feel so stupid when I do it like I feel like I'm not doing it when I cut. If anyone knows of any free places to get help in the US please let me know. I'm not suicidal I just want to stop this once and for all. I am 18 and have no health insurance. Is there a way to even get help?

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

Hey there. I'm sorry that things are bad at the moment. It's great that you want to stop. However, it isn't easy. Slipping up is ok, though. We all make mistakes, we just have to pick ourselves up and try again.

Are you in school or college? Most schools have a guidance counselor you can talk to for free about any sort of problem, including self harm.

There are other ways to get help. Would you feel comfortable speaking to a close friend or a family member you trust? A problem shared is a problem halved, as they say, and perhaps if you had someone to give up for it would make it easier.

This thread: http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f12-s...ves-self-harm/ has lots of alternatives to self harm that you can try when you get the urge to hurt yourself. Not all of them work for everybody but there might be something in there that helps you.

Good luck and take care.

[Iris. ♥]

Hey,

Don't be ashamed of yourself when you slip up. It happens to all of us. What's important is the fact that you're determined to stop. It's awesome that you want to put in the effort and seek help. That's something you should be very proud of.

Like Hester said, high school and colleges have guidance counselors that you can talk to for free. I'm not sure what your religious affiliation is, but I know many churches offer counseling for free as well.

Also, I would definitely recommend the thread that Hester linked you to. Don't get discouraged if the first thing you try doesn't work. Keep trying until you find a method that works for you. Trust me, it's different for everyone.

Take care of yourself and message me if you want to talk. Stay strong.

[AlyDel]

Having someone to share your problems with is definetly a better solution that keeping it in. When you keep things in that's what usually starts the cutting. It's ok to slip up, we all make mistakes, but at least you know that you can go for a certain amount of time without doing it.

A trusted family member, friend or guidance counselor should be able to help. Or even forums like this where you can share your stories with others who are struggling with the same thing.

[x_sepi_x]

Hey there honey, hope you're feeling a bit better. it's really good that you've found the inner strength to change your mind set and tell yourself that you want to stop. It's not easy but it IS achievable. You've got to remember that it takes time and you will probably have slip up every now and again, but it's okay! you will and can acheive.. Im sorry i live in the UK so dont know of how things work in the US but if you go to college/university you could find out if they have any counsellors there maybe :/ TH is always here for you, whenever you need support or even reassurance that you're doing the right thing. PM if you want a chat.. take care x

[Colors Leave Me Blind]

Hello, Just because you made a mistake, doesn't mean you are not doing well with it. Like said above, high schools and colleges have some counseling avaliable there. also, if you go to like a normal counselling office and tell them you don't have health insurance and have sort of like a fixed income or something, they may only make you pay a little bit for each visit. One of my friends once had to pay 1 buck a session. anyway, everyone makes mistakes. and when you are trying to quit, it's going to happen. You can't beat yourself up. thats just going to make it worse. Take it easy. And if you need anything, feel free to PM me. (: stay safe.

[Artistic Soul]

I suggest you to talk to a counselor. That would most probably make you feel better. Also, there can be many alternatives. Like every time you feel the urge to cut, you can divert your mind in doing something else/expressing your emotions differently. Stay strong and take care! xx

[xxprincessxx]

It's okay to slip up, I've been clean for a year before and made a mistake and slipped. The best thing that you can do is pick up yourself and start over again and don't be to mad at yourself. It happens to the best of us, I've learned though that talking helps and if you can just pull through the urges and talk to somebody about how you're feeling ASAP it makes it easier to cope with. At least that's what I do. But it's different for everybody. Just never give up, you'll beat this thing!

Like said above if you go to school or college, they have school counselors you can speak with. If you're in high school they will have to inform your parents but don't let that stop you. Also, if that's not an option just try opening up to somebody else that you trust, I talk to one of my pastors weekly and it's been really helpful for me, so just try and find somebody like that who can help you. Also, if you ever need to chat, just let me know. I'll be there.

[cyndii]

Hey,

Everyone expresses themselves in different ways to different emotions some people try to take their mind off of how they are feeling by writing, drawing or doing a sport of such. While others SH in many different ways, such as cutting, hitting walls, getting tattoos or peircing. Don't feel ashamed cause you slipped up be proud that you got that far.

I'm not sure what there is proffesionally in the US but if you have friends you trust enough to talk about things like this with then its a lot cheaper and ussually a lot more helpful in a way because you know that if you ever feel like slipping up again they will never be that far away. And then there's always family who you could talk to if you haven't already.
Don't loose faith in yourself and keep your head held high, stay strong.

[bayhorse321]

Thank you all for responding. I will look into talking with my counselor again. I am determined to stop hurting myself and those around me that care. I have been running a lot lately to get my emotions in control. it helps for a while at least.

[SoraKat]

Shana,

You are beautiful. In every way.. and i mean that. like really.

i think you have the best personality. you are sweet but you dont understand things right now.... i mean, life is difficult. You want help, obviously. im glad you recognize that life doesnt have to be as painful as it seems to you.... but i KNOW for a fact that you are going ot get through this. You are a strong girl... imean look what you have been through! but look forward too and remember that there is a future in there. i know its hard to see past right now and how you feel right now. Its hard to find your way out of that... but i want you to imagine freedom. Freedom from pain and sorrow and living a HAPPY life, like you hear about its possible. really.

i love you, and pray for you, and will always love you... no matter what happens

[minniemouseprincess]

Hey hun, first off, you are doing SO good. I know you slipped up and thats fine. Every person does when they are trying to recover from SH, sometimes more than once. But you are doing SO good because you WANT to stop. Thats brilliant and i'm so proud of you for being so strong and telling yourself "im gonna do this, im gonna put an end to my SH." And just knowing that, I KNOW 110% certain that you will stop. I would def. do what all the other posters suggested and talk to a school counceler or go to counceling at church maybe.

[bayhorse321]

Thank you my lovelys. I have been trying really hard. Yesterday night I admit that I did Self Harm again. My small moment of weakness (what I choose to see it as) is just that. I will work harder now than before as I have more to look out for. Maybe I will go talk with my counselor but I am still a bit scared to do so. I want to talk, to know why I am in this situation if you will. I also am looking out for my mom. I know that it hurts her when I do this and it's hard to see the dissapoinent in their eyes. More so to feel the dissapointment in myself.

[minniemouseprincess]

Talking to your counceler will be great. I think it will get a huge load off your shoulders and help you get better faster.

[bayhorse321]

How do I go about it. She knows I self harm but idk what to talk about. How to start things.

[minniemouseprincess]

Umm well just say (since you said she knows you SH) your SHing has gotten worse these past couple of days and then she will ask you stuff from there. Its real easy to start the convo.