[¯|_(ツ)_|¯]

Hey there,

I know that it may be scary to tell your parents about what is going on, but in the end it can be really beneficial to you to do so. This is because they can provide you with a lot of support during this time, and you really don't deserve to go through something like this alone. If possible, try and tell them before you go out to lunch, but if you have to tell them at lunch, I still think you should.

One option you have is to write them a letter that you give to them to read. That way, you would be getting everything out without any sort of nerves or interruptions getting in the way. I think the main points you have to get out are that you self harm and that you need support for it. Try and cover some of the basics of why you cut as well, because that is something that they will want to know. If you know of anything they can do to help, tell them, and the same thing goes for if you know things that you think will make it worse. They will still have questions or want to talk about it, but at least you will have the initial points out.

If you want to tell them verbally, I'd try and plan out what you are going to say first. I'd still suggest getting out some of the key points that I spoke about in the previous paragraph. At least if you write an outline first, though, you'd know the main ideas and some of the details you want to get out. Don't beat around the bush with them. Be honest and straightforward with them, because that way there isn't any room for them to doubt what you are trying to tell them. I think that's the best advice I can give you: Be honest to them.

In any case, it may be useful for you to print out information about self harm that you can give them to read up on. That way they can get a better understanding of what it actually means to self harm.

No matter what they say, try and stay calm. I know it's hard, but the calmer you are, the better they will be able to hear you out.

You can do this! I'd say getting it over with sooner rather than later, though, because that leaves you with less time to back out of it.

-Dez