“Cynthia is a 15-year-old high school student who is doing quite well. She is a very special person and I am very lucky to have her as a friend. (I love you Cynthia!) But Cynthia was not doing very well a couple years ago. Cynthia was 13, deeply depressed, suicidal, and engaging in a dangerous activity that many depressed teens engage in - self-mutilation. Her parents divorced, she was having difficulties with her school work, and she had lost many friends because of her depression. She felt lost, alone, confused, and extremely sad. She did not know how to cope and she kept her feelings bottled up inside.she just wanted to die. She was overwhelmed. So she began cutting herself with a razor blade. The self-mutilation continued day after day, and she hid her cuts and scars under her clothing. She also cut her wrists, and wore sweatbands to hide those cuts. Cynthia was in such great pain that she believed that the cutting was a good thing. Although it caused physical pain, she believed that it helped her escape. She told me that it was similar to taking a drug. Of course, the cutting was making things MUCH worse for her. Every time she cut herself, she was harming her body and deepening her depression. Sadly, she did not reach out for treatment - and MANY teens do not reach out for treatment. I want to quote the EXACT words that Cynthia spoke to me about why she did not get treatment. She states what innumerable other teens who cut feel. This is what she said: I didn't have any treatment because I didn't think that anyone would understand what I was talking about. And I felt that if I did get any help I would be a really weak person and be really ashmamed of myself. Please re-read that statement above several times. It speaks volumes about the feelings of someone who self-mutilates. Before I continue, I want to talk directly to anyone who is self-mutilating and let you know that you are not alone. There IS help available for you. And you can get that help fast. People WILL understand you. And there is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Reaching out for help is the first step of your recovery process. Please do something for me right now if you need help -- Ask for help! Do not be afraid. If you are in the United States, please call 1-800-DONTCUT. Please do so right now. Go ahead. You can come back to this later. I will be here when you come back. Please make that call now. If you are not in the United States, please ask someone you trust for help. If that person doesn't understand -- ask someone else for help. KEEP ASKING UNTIL YOU GET THE HELP THAT YOU NEED. Please go ask for help now. I love you and I care about you and I want you to get help. If you will not do it for yourself, please do it for me. Thank you. Please go for help NOW.”
