My niece has been self harming

[luckylady22]

So I've noticed marks on my 15 year old nieces arm and it looks like she has been self harming, may have been some time ago as looks quite faded but not sure as only got a glimpse
I'm going to speak to her parents as I feel I need to say something and I'm not sure whether they know or not
Do you think I'm over stepping by saying something ?

Anyone ?

If they've been visible enough for you to notice them, do you not think her parents will have by now?
Either way I think I'd say something because I'd want to know if it was any of my children. But I don't know what their reaction will be.

She is 15.
Talk to your niece.
Or let her talk. Listen to your niece.

First call youngminds and get advice
youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-helpline/

I told close friends when I noticed similar on their daughter. As it happened they were aware and it was being appropriately dealt with, but they were fine about me mentioning it. So no, I don't think you are overstepping.

As a teacher if we notice this we are bound by our jobs to ring the parents so as an auntie I would think you definitely should raise the issue. The advice is to talk to the child and then make GP appointment. It is an awkward conversation but one that needs to be had.

I do think surely they must have seen them but I im sure if they do know they aren't or haven't done anything about it ?
I would think that some form of counselling would be needed surely or maybe not ? I don't really have much experience of these matters and don't want to be insensitive but am worried about my niece and want to help

@embracelife Thanks for the link
I do want to reach out to her but feel I need to speak to her parents first as I know she would tell them if I spoke to her about it as they are very controlling with her and she tells them absolutely everything and has to ask them for permission for everything (maybe a lot to do with the problem but as I say I'm no expert) and don't think they would be happy if I spoke to her first

[quote luckylady22]@embracelife Thanks for the link
I do want to reach out to her but feel I need to speak to her parents first as I know she would tell them if I spoke to her about it as they are very controlling with her and she tells them absolutely everything and has to ask them for permission for everything (maybe a lot to do with the problem but as I say I'm no expert) and don't think they would be happy if I spoke to her first [/quote]
Sounds like she needs an aunty she can talk to who won't tell on her.?
How do you think her parents will react when they so controlling?
How would they know what you Talk about with your niece?

Call young minds talk it through ask them best approach

@Embracelife
I would love to get her on her own and have a chat and I'm sure we could do this but she would tell her parents what we talked about as this is just what happens so I feel I need to approach them first as it could all turn very ugly if they feel IVE gone behind their backs !

I'm so worried about her and want to help her but just not sure how to go about it !
I will talk to young minds today so hopefully they will give me some advice on how to approach this

Don't want to be judgy but I'm almost certain that her parents are a big part of the problem so how the hell do you sort this one out

@luckylady22

Don't want to be judgy but I'm almost certain that her parents are a big part of the problem so how the hell do you sort this one out

You can advise her that schools have confidential support She doesn't need to inform parents They would assessif safeguarding issue and would know how znd when to involve parents