Troubled Teens Resources

Teens at risk often resort to dangerous behavior. One of the most baffling and hurtful behaviors that parents can confront is when their troubled teenager has resorted to self-harm.

“Some young people self-harm on a regular basis while others do it just once or a few times. For some people it is part of coping with a specific problem and they stop once the problem is resolved. Other people self-harm for years whenever certain kinds of pressures or feelings arise.”

Elaine’s daughter Kelly hid her cutting activities well. She had enrolled her daughter in a school for troubled teens in order to give her a new start at a new school and friends after she was caught several times with stolen prescription drugs.One of her school counselors recognized the scars and brought the problem to light.

“A few people who self-harm may go on to commit suicide - generally this is not what they intend to do. In fact, self-harm can be seen as the ‘opposite’ of suicide as it is often a way of coping with life rather than of giving up on it.”

Counseling revealed that Kelly was so severe in judging herself that she felt compelled to punish herself for what she thought were many failings. Therapy and success in her academics brought Kelly to a new level of awareness and confidence.
Here is a quick list of some ways teens at risk self-harm. Follow the link for more.

• cutting
• taking overdoses of tablets or medicines
• punching oneself
• throwing their bodies against something
• pulling out hair or eyelashes
• scratching, picking or tearing at one’s skin causing sores and scarring
• burning
• inhaling or sniffing harmful substances

(Source)