Anyone have experience with school counselors and SI? (Thinking of asking for help)
I was wondering if anyone had experience with talking with school counselors about self-harm. I've asked mine about it, but I was being cautious and only asked if she would report it, "out of curiosity." She told me it depends on who it is, which seems to me pretty arbitrary, but she obviously knows about it and has seen it more than once before. I told her it was my friend at first and she was completely sympathetic, and I'm thinking of telling her because my SI isn't getting any better.
It's awkward, though. I have anxiety, and I find it hard to say things even though I know I have to. She doesn't really know me, either. My school is about 500 students per counselor, and there's no appointment system. You just go in when you want to if they're not busy. It'd be hard to go in and say the most personal thing I'm hiding when she doesn't know my name.
Does anyone have any experiences they could talk about, or advice to share? :)
hi there.
When I was in school - few years ago now though - my SI got reported to the counsellor by my form tutor. The only issue I found was that because I was under 18 at the time they said they had to report it to my parents, however I managed to dodge that bullet because I was like three weeks away from turning 18 and I made it clear that telling my parents would make it all worse. They agreed not to say anything if I went to see my GP with a friend from school instead, with regards to the counsellor it was very helpful to have someone at school I could go to when the pressure got too much. They were very understanding, and like you said, they've more than likely seen this more than once.
Not sure what current school policies are though. How old are you? It could make a difference in how it is all handled.
I hope you get the help you require.
If you wanna chat I'm always around.
Take care.
x Katie x
Hi there,
2 weeks ago I talked to my school councilor and casually asked if everything I say is confidential. She said that she only told authorities if your under 18 and :
* A person is at risk of suicide
*A person is harming themselves
*A person is threat to others.
She said the only reason she tells someone is because she has a duty of care or something like that. So I could not discuss self harm with her because I am under 18. Im here to listen if you want to talk :) x
Back when I was under 18, my school counsellor gave me a choice between me telling my parents about SI or her calling them about it. The whole thing didn't really work out for me, so I'm hoping my reply will not come across as too negative (: But if you are underage, your parents will have to be at least somewhat involved.
If you do tell her it's likely she'll direct you to a professional outside your school if you wish. Don't be afraid to request so if you're not comfortable talking with her, she's there to help you. Stay strong and keep going, my PM box is always open if you need support (:
I talked to my school counselor about my self-harm. Although school counselors are requried to tell if you are harming yourself, mine didn't, because my parents already knew by that time.
Overall, I found talking to my school counselor helpful.
Back when I was under 18, my school counsellor gave me a choice between me telling my parents about SI or her calling them about it.
At least yours gave you the choice. Mine called my parents because someone at school thought I might be SHing (which i was).
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her;
If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover,
I must have you!"
Thomas Parke D’Invilliers
I didn't have very good experiences with my school counselor when she found out about my SI. My mother told her at the beginning of the school year, (after finding out again, since she thought I'd stopped,) and she was on my case about it for pretty much the rest of the year. When the counselor first found out, she had me sent to the emergency room... and thought I'd be staying in the hospital for a couple of weeks. She later started inquiring about other things, like my family life and eating habits. Then she'd call me into her office at random times throughout the year. It just seemed like she was determined to have me admitted somewhere.
But of course, that was just my experience. I've heard of people who've had much more success than I did with that. As far as telling parents or whatnot, I think they're required to tell if they think you're a danger to yourself or others... something like that. I'm sure requirements vary.
I hope this works out for you :) Talking to someone is a pretty big step. Good luck. *hugs*
"God take me, because I hate me" -Underoath
We are male and female. We are artists, athletes, and students. We have depression, PTSD, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or maybe no diagnosis at all. Some of us were abused, some not. We come from all walks of life and can be any age. We are every race or religion that you can think of. Our common link is this: We are in pain. We self-injure. And we are not freaks.
Well when my college found out my course manager said because i was under the age of 18 at the time by law she had to. The college counsellor did tell me if i carried a blade with me and it was found then i could get thrown of the course as i was seen as a danger to other people, eventhough i did it to myself and would never hurt anyone else. My college counsellor was good but i was very wary of telling her to much so i played it very safe, she would only have to tell someone else is i was ;suicidal , a danger to myself or a danger to others. I never told her i was suicidal though.
Thank you for all the answers. :) I guess I'm just going to go in and ask what she would do if she found out someone self-harmed. If the answer isn't as extreme as ER or mental hospital... I guess I'll tell her because I can't stop alone and I do trust her.
