Seek medical attention for your teen's self-harm
In some cases, injuries from self-harm may require medical attention from a GP or emergency department. This might sound scary or daunting, but reaching out for professional help is often the best thing you can do for your child when they’re struggling. Read our guide to understand when to seek medical assistance and how to offer ongoing support.
When to see a GP about self-harm
Determining when to seek medical help for a teen who is self-harming can be challenging, particularly if you’re worried that escalating may cause them to be more secretive. It often depends on how severe the behaviour is, what kind of injuries have been sustained and how they’re feeling at the moment.
Here are some key indicators that it’s time to make an appointment with a GP:
Their self-harm behaviours are becoming more frequent or more serious (but aren’t immediately life-threatening).
They’ve expressed some suicidal thoughts or intentions.
They want support around developing safe ways to cope.
They don’t want to talk to anyone in their life about what’s going on.
You’re concerned about their safety and want to get some advice.
You want to get a referral to a psychologist for ongoing support.
A GP can address any physical injuries from self-harm, as well as determining if further treatment strategies, such as psychological therapy or medication, may be helpful to address the underlying issues.
When to go straight to a hospital’s emergency department for self-harm
You should go immediately to the emergency department or call an ambulance if your teen:
has deep cuts or wounds that are bleeding heavily or won’t stop bleeding
shows signs of infection at the injury site (redness, swelling, warmth, pus)
has taken an overdose or harmful substances
exhibits signs of suicidal ideation with a plan or intent
has lost consciousness, fainted, or is having a seizure
can’t keep their self-harming thoughts at bay
displays severe agitation, confusion, or inability to communicate
Is an immediate danger to themselves or others.
If you’re ever unsure, it’s better to err on the side of caution and seek emergency help or call emergency services for advice. Safety always comes first.
If your teenager needs to go to hospital for self-harm, they will be assessed by a mental health professional who can assist in directing them to the most appropriate ongoing support. They will be asked about their intention to harm themselves as part of a risk assessment. This may seem daunting, but encouraging them to be completely honest so that they can get the most suitable support.
How to offer ongoing support
Healing from self-harm is often a journey that takes time, and it’s important to know that with love, patience, and the right support, your teen can grow stronger and more resilient. Here are some gentle ways to keep supporting your child after you’ve sought medical attention:
Keep communication open and loving. Make sure to not blame your teenager for their actions. Let your teen know they can always talk to you without fear of judgment or disappointment.
Ask them how you can best support them or what you can do to help. This way, you can be there for them in their recovery and work on a positive way to get through these tough times together.
Encourage ongoing professional support. Whether it’s through psychologists, counsellors, or services like Headspace, having trusted adults to guide them can make a huge difference.
Help create a calm, safe home environment. This might mean gently removing or limiting access to anything your teen might use to harm themselves and encouraging healthy daily habits like regular sleep, nutritious food, physical activity and their favourite hobbies.
Celebrate every small step forward. Recovery isn’t always a straight line, but your consistent love and encouragement can really help them on their journey.
Remember to care for yourself too. Supporting a teen who self-harms can be emotionally demanding. Seeking your own support through friends, family, or counselling is a sign of strength and helps you be there for your child. Remember, it’s not a reflection of your parenting - be kind to yourself and focus your energy on the present and the future.