So You Have a Student Who Self-Harms... Now What?

How do you help students who harm themselves? Learn how to help them before it’s too late.

As the new school year gets underway, it’s an ideal time to consider the new challenges students who self-harm may face. They come to school with self-inflicted injuries and dangerous habits that detract from their learning. You can apply proven tactics to help your students feel safe and embrace learning.

Optimal strategies to foster focus in the classroom will enable you to help all students learn. Targeted intervention techniques will diffuse challenging behaviors in students who harm themselves.

• How can you identify students who harm themselves?
• What specific language should you use in talking with these students?
• How can you give an outlet for students to shift their harmful behaviors?
• What steps can you take to facilitate positive interactions?

If you are in crisis, feeling suicidal, thinking about hurting yourself, or are concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by certified crisis response professionals.