How to tackle self harm before it happens?

[Nosleeptillgodknowswhen]

And should it be broached at all?

I'm worried that my 10yr old DD might be vulnerable to self harm. Most of the time she's fine but she is having some friendship issues which are worrying her quite a bit. The reason for the self harm worry is that she does already pick at any scabs and seem to enjoy tending to them - it sounds like nothing I know. What has prompted me to write this though is that I found her copying out a poem from her iPod wallpaper app which seemed to encourage self harm. I don't think she realised that but obviously something resonated with her. (Needless to say the wallpaper app has been deleted).

She's already having counselling at school to help with the friendship issues and my concerns might never come to anything. But I would like to be prepared and to do what I can to head it off at the pass if possible. My concern is that talking about self harm at all might give her ideas she doesn't yet have... Perhaps it's better to just concentrate on tactics for handling worries?

I have looked at young minds website but couldn't find anything on tackling self harm before it happens. Any thoughts gratefully received.

I think I might just mention it to the counsellors. I dont think you should broach it out of context, as she might not understand why she feels as she does or why she picks scabs.

My DD now says she thought about self harm at 9, (she is 19) which came as a shock as we had no idea until she struggled with severe depression at 14 . She thought it was normal and that everyone must feel this way. but didnt talk about it.

She had friendship issues but none of us spotted her ASD traits which later contributed to depression. I think if I had recognised she saw life slightly differently earlier I would have encouraged therapy which might have helped her coping strategies , but we focussed on physical illness. I'm not sure if this helps, as what she is doing doesnt necessarily lead to anything, and self harm doesnt always lead to anything more serious.

Helping her generally with coping strategies for stress at this age will help her in the messiness of teenage life and you sound a very caring mum who will keep a close eye on her.

Thanks anthropology. You've confirmed my own thoughts. I haven't had a chance to talk with the counsellor yet (she's only had 2 sessions) but will ensure that I get an opportunity do to so ASAP.

I am dreading the teenage years....