Seeking Help For Your Teen Who Is Cutting Themselves

Discovering that your child is cutting can be one of the most alarming and confusing moments for any parent or caregiver. It is natural to be frightened and unsure of what to do next. But knowing what to do if your child is cutting can help parents respond in a way that supports long-term change and healing. Below, we discuss practical and compassionate ways to help parents navigate this difficult situation.

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Signs of Cutting in Teens

Cutting is a form of self-harm that some teens use to cope with emotional pain, stress, or feelings of numbness. It is often done in secret, so the warning signs can be easy to miss. Being aware of these signs can help parents recognize when their teen is be struggling and in need of support. Common signs of cutting include:

• Unexplained cuts, scratches, or burns (especially on the arms, thighs, or stomach)
• Wearing long sleeves or pants even in warm weather to cover injuries
• Sudden withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities
• Increased irritability or mood swings
• A strong focus on themes of pain, self-harm, or emotional distress in music, writing, or online content

Reasons Why Teenagers Cut

​​Cutting is often misunderstood as a cry for attention, but for many teens, it is a deeply personal way of coping with emotional pain or overwhelming experiences. It is rarely about trying to shock others—more often, it is about trying to feel something when everything feels numb, or regaining a sense of control in a world that feels chaotic. Understanding the reasons behind self-injury is a key to helping teens find healthier ways to manage their emotions. Highlighted below are some common reasons why teenagers may turn to cutting:

• Emotional Release: Some teens cut to release intense feelings like anger, sadness, or frustration when they don’t know how else to express them.
  
• Numbing Emotional Pain: For others, cutting helps them ‘feel something’ when they are emotionally numb or disconnected.
  
• Coping with Mental Health Issues: Depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions can contribute to this behavior.
  
• Relief from Inner Tension: Cutting can create a temporary sense of calm or control during periods of intense stress or emotional overload.
  
• Low Self-Esteem or Self-Hate: Teens struggling with self-worth may cut as a form of self-punishment or expression of self-loathing.
  
• Peer Influence or Exposure: Some teens are introduced to self-harm through friends, online communities, or media, and begin experimenting as a way to relate or belong.
  
• Feeling Invisible or Unheard: When teens feel ignored or misunderstood, cutting may be their way of making internal pain visible—even if they hide the wounds.

What to Do if Your Child is Cutting

Once you are aware that your child is engaging in self-harm, the most important thing is to respond with steady, informed action. You do not need to have all the answers right away, but taking that first step toward support can make a substantial impact. Cutting is a sign that your child is in emotional distress, and they need your help navigating it. Here are some ways to effectively support them and engage in the healing process together.

Stay Calm and Approach with Compassion

Reacting with anger or fear can increase your child’s shame and make them less likely to open up. Start by letting them know that you have noticed that they are hurting and that you want to understand what they are going through. Speak gently, listen more than you talk, and focus on connection rather than control.

Involve the School Counselor or Trusted Adults

While your child may resist involving others, letting a trusted adult at school know can provide them with day-to-day support. A school counselor can quietly check in and offer a safe space when you are not around. Encouraging your child to build a network of support reinforces that they do not have to face hard things alone.

Participate in the Healing Process as a Family

The way your family communicates and responds to emotions plays a powerful role in your child’s healing. Be open about your own feelings, model healthy coping strategies, and show them it is safe to be vulnerable. Small acts of connection, like family meals, low-pressure conversations, or shared activities, may help rebuild trust.

Create a Safe, Supportive Environment at Home

Take simple steps to make your home feel emotionally and physically safe without being invasive. Limit access to objects that can be used to self-harm and replace them with items that promote comfort or creativity. 

Mental Health Treatment for Cutting

Mental health treatment provides a safe, structured space in which your child can explore what is driving their behavior and begin to develop healthier ways to manage distress. Therapeutic support helps teens build emotional regulation skills, process underlying pain, and reconnect with their sense of self-worth. While it can be difficult to take that first step, many families find that specialized treatment offers the breakthrough their child needs to begin healing. If your teen is self-harming, consider seeking help from individuals trained in supporting adolescents through this kind of emotional crisis.

Find Adolescent Mental Health Treatment in Malibu, CA

If your child is struggling with cutting, individualized treatment can make all the difference. Beachside Teen offers compassionate, personalized care designed to address the underlying causes and help teens build healthier coping skills. Through a variety of tailored programs, we focus on healing, emotional growth, and lasting recovery. To learn more about how we can support your family, contact us or visit our admissions page today.