Poll of the Day > What do you do to help out a friend who you know is cutting?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I realize PotD isn't the best place for social advice, but I'm asking anyway.

Basically a person I'm playing DnD with right now, and have known for a few months I just noticed that there are fresh (a few weeks or so) scars on their wrist.
They're a great person and both my gf and I want to help out, but we're not really sure how to go about it.

Does anyone have any experience in this sort of thing?
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She needs mental helps. Like, I've known a cutter who was depressed and a cutter who was doing it for the adrenaline - different tanks. The one doing it for the rush kept his scars secret, but was open to talking about it. The girl kept her scars open, but would avoid talking.

idk - i didn't know them that well, so... ehhhhhhhhhh
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try suicide hotline
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It's definitely more of a thing for a professional. You can always ask them if they wanted to just talk about it, I guess.
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It really depends. I think it's different for each person. Do you know if something happened in their life recently? Something that would make them start. Are either you or your gf close to them? So they could maybe talk to them. Do you think it's been going on for a while and you just noticed? Do they act normal around everyone? Have they changed at all lately? Either way, they do need help. I would probably ask a professional, if you know one. I may be able to ask someone, but Idk when... and I wouldn't make someone wait.
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It's a touchy subject. I used to and didn't really want anyone talking to me at the time. Eventually it got to the point where I moved to my ankles since I was sick of people asking about it...

All I'll be able to say is what I noticed of myself and my friends who cut - they KNOW that nobody can understand how they feel and it's VERY VERY hard to convince them otherwise. However, part of them is probably openly displaying them because they do want to be helped.

Seriously, just try and make sure they know that you'll be there for them should they need it and try to include/invite them as much as possible for group events. Even if they turn you down, sometimes the security knowing that someone is thinking about them will be enough to seek help.

Also, don't pull the "you need to see a psychiatrist" card unless you're close enough with them and know how they'd react to that advice.

JOExHIGASHI posted...

try suicide hotline

I feel like those resources could be put to better use, i.e. not just some kind-of friend of a person.

gravy posted...

Also, don't pull the "you need to see a psychiatrist" card unless you're close enough with them and know how they'd react to that advice.

Yeah, I'm one of the least confrontational people in the world, the idea of that just isn't how I work in any serious social situation.

gravy posted...

Seriously, just try and make sure they know that you'll be there for them should they need it and try to include/invite them as much as possible for group events. Even if they turn you down, sometimes the security knowing that someone is thinking about them will be enough to seek help.

Yeah, I'll try and do that. I do have their number as well, so I'll try and keep base during a weekly group meetup.
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