13 year old girl self harming....what to do??

[GypsyMoth]

friend of DD both girls are 13.

last night at the park this girl was apparently cutting her wrists with a piece of glass she found. just sat there doing it calmly. this was over some boy. she has also been sexually active. DD even thinks this girl could be pregnant,or trying to be.

i don't know the girl very well,but she's in DD's circle of friends. and known for her drama. she also has a self harming sister who is i believe,in care.
i don't know her family at all. just her dad to say hello to.

so,with all thats going on,what should i do? can't ignore the glass issue at all,though i know the other parents have ignored the 'sex in the bushes with an inappropriate boy'.

have asked DD if there is someone at school she and the other friend who witnessed it,could talk to. apparently there is a welfare person. but not sure if they will actually go and raise the alarm so to speak.

what would all you MNers do??

[boundarybabe]

If it was me? I think I'd speak to your DD's form tutor/head of year - they can then take appropriate steps to inform the welfare person, and if necessary take your DD and her friends aside to discuss.

I'd tell someone though - you can't ignore it, she could end up seriously hurting herself.

[smugmumofboys]

Ditto what Boundarybabe said.

Speak to the school. I teach in a secondary and there was recent training on this whole issue as schools recognise that it's a problem.

They should respect your confidence if you don't want the girl or her family to know it was you who contacted them.

[ShinyAndNew]

I don't know what I'd do but I'd definately do something.

Perhaps call the NSPCC for advice on how to handle this?

Normally I would say speak to her mum, but that might make it worse. My dsis self harmed because of things with my dad and my just didn't understand at all. She thought she was attention seeking

[GypsyMoth]

i don't know her mum.

school,yes,i just wondered if because it was outside school wether it would still be relevant.

i'll wait til DD gets home and see if its been brought to schools attention yet,then take it further. thanks everyone!

[starwhores]

I wouldn't speak to her mother as she may be the reason for this. I would speak to the school and the NSPCC, without hesitation.

[BertieBotts]

Only suggestion I have is your daughter could give the girl the number for childline - 0800 1111 - they will listen to her and possibly be able to advise as well. You can call it for free from a phone box or if she calls from a land line it will not appear on the phone bill. It is not free from mobiles though.