This page is devoted to exploring alternatives to keep yourself from self injuring. Here you will find ideas for you to try when you are on the verge of self injury. Once again, I am not a professional counselor just a girl who understands how hard it is, and have even thought to myself while in crisis that nothing I try ever compares to the release I feel while actually self harming. But every minute that goes by that you don't self injure is an accomplishment and if you continue to reach out for help, those minutes will turn into hours and those hours to days and those days to weeks!

Reminder:
I am more than willing to speak with you, support you and pray with you and/or for you. However, if you are in immediate danger or having suicidal thoughts please take a courageous step and call 911 or tell a trusted parent, youth pastor or friend.

The biggest help for me when I feel like I need to self harm is making a contract with a trusted friend, professional counselor, or family member to not self harm for a set amount of time. So I have placed a contract below that you can fill out if you are contemplating self harm or just want to make a contract because you have the desire to stop self harming and want the accountability.

Ideas for when you feel like self harming:

• Do something crafty...color, draw, scrapbook, paint, ect.
• Go for a run or a long fast walk
• Pray (God understands, even when we don't!)
• Call a friend or go out with a friend
• Come to Speak Don't Bleed and write in the forum, chat or email me
• Write out your feelings through poetry
• Draw a butterfly on your wrist with a marker and commit to no self harm until the butterfly has naturally disappeared (in other words don't scrub the butterfly off!)
• Go somewhere and scream (or scream into a pillow)
• Punch a pillow
• Make a contract with someone not to cut (you can also do this on Speak Don't Bleed)
• Listen to upbeat music or play a musical instrument
• Rip up a peice of paper or cardboard
• Write yourself a "I'm worth it because..." letter
• Write "God loves me because I'm me!" 100 times

You should try non-aggressive and more healthy ways to keep yourself from self harming first but if all else fails and you need to feel "something":

• Keep a rubberband on your wrist and snap it when you feel like self harming
• Hold ice on the inside of your wrist
• Take a cold shower

The link below is of a great site where you can tell your story of self injury. Sometimes telling your story is enough to break down the walls of shame and secrecy and move you toward healing and freedom from self injury. You can also share your story on the Speak Don't Bleed Forums but I wanted to give you another place where you can go! Speaking your feelings, emotions, and what you have been through is so important when it comes down to healing from self injury so give it a try!

YOUR STORY: The Wounded Embrace

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