Is cutting a warning sign of suicide?
One of the questions parents ask me when they learn that their daughter is cutting on herself is is this a form of a suicide attempt. Is their daughter trying to kill herself? And of course, this is a worrisome, frightening situation. It is important to know that there is a behavior called non-suicidal self injury. And much of cutting, burning the skin or other ways of harming the skin often fall in that category of non-suicidal self injury. That doesn´t mean that the teen may not also be feeling suicidal and that she wants to die. That is one reason why it is really important to work with a professional, a mental health professional, who can help your daughter sort out what is going on, what is this about for her and how can she heal.
Melissa J. Johnson, PhD, licensed psychologist, is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Girl's Development in Pasadena, CA. An expert in child and teen development, Dr, Johnson holds a master's degree in Education and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. Dr. Johnson has worked with children and teens for over 30 years. At the Institute. Dr. Johnson and her team deliver strength-based therapy, inspiring education programs and consultation with schools and districts to help create positive school climates. Dr. Johnson's approach to raising and mentoring youth draws together contemporary research in neuroscience and mind/body health, and evidence based interventions in mindfulness and social and emotional intelligence.
Dr. Johnson was recognized by the State of California with an Outstanding Women in Business award winner in 2011. Dr. Johnson is a former Interim Chair of the Maters Programs in counseling at the University of La Verne and has served as an adjunct faculty member at both the University of La Verve and the University of Southern California. Dr. Jonson is a welcomed local and national speaker. Her peer-reviewed publications have appeared in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology and Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Her numerous articles about raising strong girls have appeared in community online blogs and newsletters.