What Teachers Should Know Cutting is a form of self-injury. Teens and preteens may use a sharp object to purposely mark, cut, or scratch themselves. People typically cut themselves on their wrists, forearms, thighs, or belly. They might use a razorblade, knife, scissors, a metal tab from a soda can, the end of a paper clip, a nail file, or a pen. Some people burn their skin with the end of a cigarette or lighted match. Cutting is not a suicide attempt, but people who self-injure are more likely to attempt suicide. But even when suicide is not the goal, cutting can still cause serious injuries. Cutting can be a sign of emotional distress. Teens cut for many different reasons: Most teens who cut are struggling with powerful emotions and cutting gives them a sense of relief. Cutting provides a sense of control over other things teens can't control. Cutting can start as an impulsive behavior, but it becomes harder to stop the more they do it. Some teens who cut are also struggling with other urges, obsessions, or compulsive behaviors. People who cut are more likely to have mental health problems, like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or eating disorders. Students who cut may: hide marks on their body and, if the marks are noticed, make excuses for them appear depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, and get angry or upset if confronted about cutting be doing poorly in school or seem socially isolated miss class time to see therapists or school counselors need extra time to complete class assignments and homework What Teachers Can Do For many teens and preteens, cutting is a sign that they are dealing with emotional distress or mental illness. While some teens call attention to their cuts, others hide them out of shame. Many teens cut for a long time before anyone else knows. If you suspect that your student is cutting or doing other self-harm, talk to a school counselor, school psychologist, school nurse, principal, or designated crisis team. Teens who self-injure should be referred to mental health specialists. You can help your student by: providing extra time for class and homework assignments being consistent and supportive teaching all students healthy ways to deal with stress Back to Articles Related Articles Taking Your Child to a Therapist Many children and teens have problems that affect how they feel, act, or learn. Going to therapy helps them cope better, feel better, and do better. Read More Do People Who Self-Injure Have to Be Hospitalized? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Going to a Therapist Getting help with emotions or stress is the same as getting help with a medical problem like asthma or diabetes. This article explains how therapy works and how it can help with problems. Read More When Depression Is Severe Severe depression can cloud a person's thinking and lead some people to think that life isn't worth living. But severe depression can be treated. Find out what to do and how to get help in this article for teens. Read More Finding Low-Cost Mental Health Care If you need mental health care but don't think you can afford it, you're not alone. Get tips on finding low-cost or free mental health care in this article for teens. Read More Sadness and Depression Everyone is sad once in a while. But depression is a sadness that goes on too long and hurts too much. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Depression Depression is very common. For more information about depression and feeling better, check out this article. Read More Depression Depression is the most common mental health disorder in the U.S. If you think your child is depressed, you'll want to learn more about what depression is, what causes it, and what you can do to help. Read More 5 Ways to Help Yourself Through Depression It's important to take action against depression - it doesn't just go away on its own. In addition to getting professional help, here are 5 ways to feel better. Read More Why Am I So Sad? Feeling down? Got the blues? Everyone feels sad sometimes. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Cutting It can be hard to understand, but people who cut themselves sometimes do it because it actually makes them feel better. They are overflowing with emotions - like sadness, depression, or anger - that they have trouble expressing. Read More How Can I Stop Cutting? If you've been cutting and you want to stop, here are some approaches that might help you. Read More I Started Cutting Again. How Can I Stop? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Teens Talk About Cutting We get lots of comments about our cutting articles. Because many of our readers' suggestions and comments are so helpful, we decided to put a few on our site. Read More How Can I Help a Friend Who Cuts? Some people cope by cutting themselves. This article helps friends understand why people cut and gives some tips on what you can to help your friend — and yourself. Read More Cutting Cutting isn't new, but this form of self-injury has been in the spotlight more in recent years. Learn more about it and ways to help a teen who cuts. Read More Helping Teens Who Cut Cutting isn't new, but this form of self-injury has been in the spotlight more in recent years. Learn more how to help a teen who cuts. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.