Self harm help

[MrsMarigold]

Our au pair is self harming and I'm very worried about her - should I broach the subject with her or just leave it? She's also losing a load of weight and I know she is on zoloft (an anti-depressant which makes you lose weight but nonetheless. What should I do she is not a teenager, but is doing a post-graduate course here so I feel it would be a bit odd to contact her family.

No advice I'm afraid but it might be someone from the Mental Health topic might have some opinions on the best way to support her?

If you are really worried I would try talking to her. Just be a supportive ear. You could encourage her to go back to her doctor as well, if she is struggling. How old is she? Does she have any friends that she sees?

She is in her late 20s and goes to the doctor "at home" and also has a therapist. I suspect she on the cusp of splitting up with her fiance. She is also very friendly with people on her course who I'm not sure a a particularly positive influence. She said she isn't sure she'll ever go to live back in her country, where she owns a house with the fiance.

I don't think I can raise the self-harm with her as I've just observed the cuts on the back of her hands and arms rather than her discussing them, also she always carries a pocket knife, presumably so she can do it on the move.

She's good at heart but I do have concerns about her stability - we once were discussing suicide and she said her best friend killed herself and I get the impression she might have tried herself many moons ago.

Obviously a lot of reading between the lines her but I feel I need to tread sensibly.