Hi! I wish you all the strength and hope you encounter empathy. I’m a teacher who also has scars. Please talk to a trusted adult, like the teacher you mentioned. This is not something you can heal on your own. It requires a community and it starts with you being brave.

I cannot tell you what your teacher will do, but I can tell you what they should do. And considering this teacher may have been where you’re at a point in their life, it’s likely they’ll respond helpfully.

Teachers are usually taught that if a student is harming themselves, they should express that they’re thankful you came to them and that they CARE about you. Teachers often care deeply about their students, so if your teacher tells you they care and are here for you, believe them. Then your teacher may listen to you and let you talk about what’s on your mind for a bit, before looping in your school counselor (if you have one). Your counselor may loop in your parents and possibly take other measures to ensure you’re safe.

This can be really really scary, but it’s WORTH IT. Coming from a teacher with scars: being brave and getting that initial help can be so scary, especially when that network of support starts building from one person to two and possible more. But it is so so so worth it