Straight Talk For Teens By Teens

DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: My friend, “Max”, has huge family problems and is cutting his wrists. The cuts aren’t deep, but his arm is infected because his parents lock the medicine cabinet and he isn’t cleaning it properly. Max showed me and some other girls the infection and told us not to tell…

DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: After reading the column about how to help prevent suicide (July 16), I want to say that, over the years, I have attracted friends who were cutting, depressed, anorexic, or bulimic. I’m strong and happy and I would reach out to them. But it got crazy. I became emotionally…

Dear Straight Talk: I’ve been cutting since I was 16. I do it every time I’m mad or depressed. Once I see the blood, I feel like everything is going to be okay. It’s something I’ve grown use to. It brings me relief and makes me feel better. My little sister also cuts and I want to tell her…

Dear Straight Talk: Would an adult perspective on cutting help? When I was 30 I went through a very painful divorce. During one intense crying jag, I grabbed a steak knife and began drawing lines on my arms—without actually drawing blood. I honestly don’t know what compelled me to do it. I’m…

Dear Straight Talk: Your columns on cutting touched home. One of my teenage daughters used to cut herself and Bryan answered more questions for me than anyone ever has.

I know my daughter had “issues” but I was always pressing for a definitive reason as to why she was cutting herself, what…

Dear Straight Talk: I’m responding to “El Dorado Hills Uncle” who asked why anyone would cut themselves. As a former cutter, here is my theory.

Adults in their forties and fifties today were teenagers in the 60’s and 70’s. As we know, those were times of drug exploration and exploitation. I…

Dear Straight Talk: I’m from London, England and I just read your column online about cutting. How would I approach my parents concerning such matters? I need some help but I’m scared to tell them that I cut.—A.

Dear A.: Most cutters feel the same way—they’re at a loss as to how to tell…