Requested by: TonsOfFanFic

Before I start, I want to give an obvious warning that this chapter will deal with self-harm and suicide. If you feel as though this will affect you in any negative way, please don't read this chapter. The last thing I want to do is unintentionally harm anyone emotionally or mentally. Also, please know that if you are going through things like this, you aren't alone. Everyone says that, I get it, it sucks to always hear it, but it's true. If you feel like you can't talk to anyone in your off-wattpad life, know that my PMs are always open for those who need it.

I also want to say that a lot of this stuff is coming from my own experiences as someone who has had incredibly dark thoughts and loved ones who've self-harmed. I'm trying to be as accurate as possible in a sensitive, real way. Please don't think I'm doing this with any negative intent, or that I intend to misrepresent information.

Self harm within itself is a really dark topic, one that I steer away from in my stories. Not that it's forbidden to write about, it's just incredibly scary to think about writing it wrong. So, my first piece of advice is to write it right.

Self-harm

First, research different methods of self-harm. Already I hate the way that sounds, but there's more than just cutting. Research is so important so we can represent these things correctly.

Next, understand that oftentimes when people self-harm they're frenzied. Their thoughts and emotions are haywire and they may do more damage to themselves than intended. Remember that the body's basic instinct is to keep you safe. It takes a lot to harm yourself.

Think of the reasons and make them a good one. Simple things like dropping a phone and cracking it are not and will never be a good excuse to put self-harm in your story unless the MC has deeper underlying mental health issues that the phone dropping contributed to. Perhaps it's an emotion thing, genetics, drugs/alcohol, psychological influences (war, poverty, abuse, etc.)

Understand how and why people hide them. Understand where people will harm themselves. Know about the healing process for different types of wounds. Think about how your other characters will react.

I'll say this again for suicide, but DON'T pull a 13 Reasons Why. Sure, people will argue and say it's an amazing show, but it's not. Tons of psychologists will confirm the fact that the show is much too graphic, and glorifies self-harm and suicide. DON'T GLORIFY IT. It's not beautiful, it's not beautifully tragic that people harm themselves. It's just tragic, and it's an issue that doesn't need to be made nice so people will think it's the right thing to do.

Suicide

Many of the same principles for self-harm apply here. Method, reason, time, reaction. Even if it's just thoughts, they're going to be thinking about how and when. Why are they thinking about committing suicide? What has happened that's led them to that low of a point?

Again, just do proper research and follow the general guidelines I gave for self-harm. But remember, while similar, self-harm and suicide are also drastically different.

And I will say again. DON'T pull a 13 Reasons Why. The worst thing you could possibly do for your story, self-harm or suicide, is be incredibly graphic. In the show, they show Hannah killing herself in graphic detail with no warnings. That is never, and will never, be okay because unaware people may be triggered by it. Most times in stories, you want details, but when it comes to self-harm/suicide and actually committing the acts, be vague and general as to not upset your readers.

Again, if there's anyone who is struggling, find someone to talk to. A help line, a friend, parent, guardian. I'm always here too. You're not alone, you can push through your darkness, even if you need a hand.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255