E. Joseph Cossman said “If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.” Doing this could help put your current worries into perspective.
Don’t let difficulties discourage you. To be able to see every obstacle as an opportunity for growth, you need to be focused on the goal you are pursuing.
Picture a future you want. It can be next weekend or in ten years. Have a clear picture of what it is that you want – write it down or draw pictures. Make sure you have really clear images of the future you want and how you might obtain it.
There are lots of mental health organisations to help support young people: Young Minds, Mind, Harmless, CYPMHC, CAMHS, Rethink, TheSite.org, RecoverYourLife.com, and the NHS to name a few.
Most teenagers who self-harm are able to give up this behaviour as they learn to manage feelings in healthier ways. Your GP can refer you to a specialist to help, such as a counsellor or psychologist.
The person who is self-harming may feel deep shame and guilt, or may feel confused and worried by their own behaviour. It’s important to approach them with care and understanding. They may not wish to discuss their self-harm with you, but you could suggest that they speak to an anonymous helpline or see their GP.
Some signs indicating self-harming behaviour may include: unexplained cuts, bruises or burns; being fully covered up even when hot; depression, low mood or low self-esteem, and being secretive about eating.
Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body. It is a way of expressing deep emotional feelings such as low self-esteem, or a way of coping with traumatic events, such as the death of a loved one.
Try to be aware of what effect your thoughts have on you. Spend less time thinking about things that make you unhappy and focus more time on thinking about things that make you happy.
If something bad happens or you have an argument early in the day, don’t write the whole day off as a ‘bad’ day and expect that whatever else can go wrong, will. Situations later are often unrelated; treat each situation individually and find the good in each one.