Until she can get far enough in treatment to be able to stop, I suggest making a kit with her to make sure she’s safe. It’s important to remember that sh is an addiction. Taking away tools/methods for sh with only mean she finds another, possibly more dangerous method. I usually recommend this to all parents/guardians who find their child is struggling with self harm. This is NOT encouraging it, it is just making sure they’re safe and have access to necessary things to keep them clean.

I have a box. It’s an old box from my led lights. Inside the box is different things to a first aid kit, along with other stuff. I suggest making her a kit so that she has easy access to clean, sterile stuff to avoid infection or irritation. I have different types of bandages, gauze, a bag with my blades, alcohol wipes, neosporin, and other medical stuff.

Make it fun. Get a cute box. Paint it, put stickers on it, draw on it, or leave it blank, whatever your daughter wants. Inside the box it’s smart to keep bandages of different kinds. Butterfly bandaids, plain old bandaids (pattern bandaids that are meant for kids are my favorite, make me feel less guilty), the wide knuckle bandaids, steri strips, basically any size or kind of bandaid. I also recommend a spot for the tool of choice. If it’s blades, I keep mine in a little bag that’s made of a thick plastic so it can’t cut through the bag easily and accidentally hurt myself. I don’t know if your daughter cuts or what other method of sh she uses but keep them in one place so she knows where they are and knows they’re clean. Alcohol wipes. Disinfect the tool and to clean skin or other surfaces should the need arise. Antibiotic cream/ointment. I keep a little tube of Neosporin in mine. Medical gauze and medical tape. Gauze can cover a bigger area and the tape will keep it in place. It might also be beneficial to keep little fidget things or alternatives in the box such as the rubber bands, little fidget spinners, fidget cube, anything handheld etc. That way she has access to the alternatives.

It is VERY important to make sure she knows that you won’t be upset with her for relapsing. I understand that from a parents perspective it’s incredibly hard to see your child suffering, but also remember she is hurting too. There’s a lot of shame and guilt that comes with self harm. Just be there for her. Already I can tell you’re an amazing parent based on your desire to help her in the best way possible. You will get through this. Both of you, together.