How can I tell my friends or family that I self-harm?

Choose a time that your family/friends are not busy & seem calm/stress-free, so it'll be a time that you know they'll be most receptive. Make sure that you feel as calm as possible as well. Tell them you'd like to share a very personal and sensitive matter and ask if it would be a good time to talk. Prepare links or print-outs beforehand that help describe your situation; you can also use these as a way to start the talk or back you up. You could also try to tell them in a letter and then give them the letter--preferably in person--if you feel more comfortable writing about it than talking about it.

When I was younger, I sat my mom down one night and just told her straight up that I self-harmed and that I wanted help. Don't feel pressured to tell anyone, but please get help.

For me, my friend asked me how my weekend was. I said that I'd show her. We went into the school bathroom, and I pulled up my sleeves and showed her. Yes, it was very hard and my anxiety levels were off the chart. Yes, we all cried our eyes out. But it was best. Just simply tell them.

If it's hard to say it face to face, maybe you could tell them with a letter? I did that and i worked out all fine. Hope you'll feel better soon.

First things first, take a moment to consider how they will react. What is the best scenario you can think of? And the worst one? What is what most probably happen? Make a plan or establish some ways to cope with each posible scenario. With that done, sit down and slowly (at your own pase) let the words come out. Express to them what you feel and what is going on. Be honest, with yourself and with them. If you can be patience, often its not always easy to grasp what goes on in someone else's head. Let them know what you need/want through this and how they can be supportive. If you don't know how to open up or want to practice a posible dialogue you can always reach out to a listener and let them know what you are considering and how they can help you in dealing with this situation.

If you have any friends that selfharmed themselves, you can tell them first because the so-called doorstep is lower for you to tell them, because you can know they'll understand. Then you can move on to other friends. I'm sure they'll try to help you the best they can. The same thing for your family. You don't have to tell everyone though, you can tell the people you trust the most.

When I told my parents that I had been self harming I found it easier to write a letter to them, and then try and talk about afterwards and answer questions they may have. It was scary, but I was glad I did it

Perhaps it would be easiest to write a letter, email or even a little text to the people you are closest too and trust the most or maybe you could tell your parents that you are struggling and need to tell them something. I think it's like getting into cold water; you need to do it quickly without thinking. Your family and friends will understand. Don't worry!

From personal experience I can tell you, telling someone is the hardest part. The anxiety and fear of not being accepted or being judged can become overwhelming. I'll be honest though. Once you tell someone, it becomes 100x easier. You now have people who support you and will help you. Id recommend starting with a close family member or friend you trust. Tell them you have been struggling and that you need and/or want help. When you're ready, they can even help you tell other family members or friends you are more hesitant to tell.

You just have to be straight about it, just get your mom or dad or anyone around a table and tell them you need help because you self-harm. Or just text them if it makes you super anxious to tell them face-to-face. It's not going to be an easy task but I guarantee you will feel better after you tell them.