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What's the best way to tell my friends that I self harm without them telling anybody?

13 Answers
Last Updated: 03/05/2018 at 4:54pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Melissa Strauss, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

I am client focused and believe everyone has a strength. I feel confident in seeing clients with generalized and social anxiety, depression and relational goals.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
May 16th, 2015 4:10pm
Don't tell them. They don't have to know. It's something really private so if you want help go with a professional.
Jenna
June 14th, 2015 8:31pm
Self-harming is a personal thing and opening up to people can be scary. Finding the right time to tell people you self-harm can be the most difficult part, but only you will know the right time and the right people. Try asking yourself, are your friends trustworthy, have you ever told them something serious and they spread it to others, are they supportive? I think once you get the answers to these types of questions, you will fine your answer.
Surrender
January 11th, 2015 12:34pm
You know your friends better than I do, but you could just try telling them you don't want anybody to know? I know it seems simple, but if they're trustworthy, they won't tell anyone!
HelpfulNick95
January 11th, 2015 5:09pm
I personally have had to tell my friends some pretty bad things in the past(not self harm, but other embarrassing or otherwise unusual topics), and to be honest, some of them did share that information with other people. I was crushed that my friends would do that. The first thing you have to do is find the friends that you would trust with your life, and have a 1 on 1 sit down with them. Don't do it over texting, and don't do it in a group discussion. Make it a personal 1 on 1 face to face conversation. This will help communicate verbally and non-verbally how sensitive and how personal/important this issue is to you and hopefully show your friend(s) of choice that you really care about this and you really care about them.
Luckyhottubsandwhiches
April 26th, 2016 10:28am
Find out their views on it first, see if it makes them uncomfortable, so on and then base it off there,
PeppermintHeart
May 5th, 2015 11:31am
You should tell them that you would be grateful for their support but that it would make you feel stresed out and exposed if people would know about your problem without you yourself having decided to tell them. Tell them that if they want to help you they have to respect your privacy and not tell anyone else. If they think you need more help, you can still agree to go to a councellar with them or something similar. They can support you but not take away your right to make your own decisions. Good luck x
Inara92
June 22nd, 2015 8:16pm
You can't really be sure they will not tell to someone else, and if that happens it surely isn't your fault. I used to self harm and I never told anyone because I was really ashamed and afraid that if somebody would know then the word would spread and some actions would have been made. Then, after years, I told a friend..and then another..and another. I find people to be so much more understanding that I could ever imagine. It wasn't easy, and I took my time. You should never do something you don't feel up to. Tell only to the people you trust and you're comfortable with. Test the ground. Try to understand how that makes you feel and take your time doing that. That's the only "right" way to do it.
Anonymous
June 13th, 2016 6:54am
When I told my friends I said "I really need you guys to listen, I self harm" then they were like what?why? I also said they couldn't away to anyone because I am really insecure about it.
PhoebeRose9
July 7th, 2015 4:28pm
As frustrating as it is, your friends may tell someone about your self-harming. More importantly you should ask yourself why you are self-harming and if you are in danger. It is difficult for a friend to bear the weight of sadness by themselves, just like it is difficult for you to do the same. Consider talking to an adult friend who may have more life experience in this type of self harm.
Anonymous
November 17th, 2015 6:19am
you need to be sure you can trust them and before telling them you self harm tell them about your situation and how it is all making you feel and say that due to all of that you have started selfharming
TaranWanderer
May 2nd, 2017 7:48pm
The best way is to makes sure that you trust them (which you should if they're your friends), and just make sure that they know it's important that they keep it to themselves. Let them know that you would really like their support and that you're not ready for anyone else but them to know just yet. If they are your friends, I'm sure they will be able to respect your privacy.
Anonymous
January 25th, 2016 8:19am
I'd tell them that it's not for them to tell other people about. I would also tell them that if things got serious, then I would be open to letting someone know.
Anonymous
March 5th, 2018 4:54pm
Is your friend trustworthy? If yes just tell them not to tell anyone about it. I think they already know that theyre not supposed to tell anyone else about it.