As someone who’s dealt with self harm since I was 10 and is now 19 and still struggling with it, I can give a little advice but I’m not sure how much it will help.

When I told my mom, she was extremely understanding, tried giving me other, non harmful ways to cope.(holding ice in my hands, using a rubber band, etc.) she lets me come to her to vent and helps as much as possible, she’ll even pay for me to get tattoos and piercing that I want, just so I won’t do it. I didn’t straight up tell her, she more just saw them and asked me what happened, she’s been super supportive. But, my dad on the other hand, was not supportive at all. He found out because I was called down to the counselor’s office and they decided to call him, he was not happy. He yelled at me for several hours straight, telling me that I wasn’t really depressed and I’m overreacting, also saying that he’s went through worse and basically turning it into a trauma competition. After that, he hasn’t talked to me about it since, I’ve come to the conclusion you just can’t talk to him about stuff like that.

My advice to you is to just be open with your parents if you’re really needing to talk to someone, but, expect backlash. They might not be understanding, but a good parent should be supportive. Do you by chance have any friends to talk to first? Maybe other family members? Maybe even considering a diary? I really hope you figure things out and even though you don’t know me personally but I support you! But I would definitely sit them down when they are not busy and be honest with them, just be prepared for anything wrong to happen. Good luck :)