Self-harm may offer you relief from painful emotions in the moment, but it can leave you feeling worse afterward. It cannot solve your problems or remove the source of your pain. If you struggle with the following, you can get help from one of 4 in Alabama, United States:

Feeling reckless, not caring whether you get hurt
Imagining hurting yourself
Feeling like you need an outlet to channel your painful emotions
Feeling the need to escape or numb your feelings
Having sudden impulses to hurt yourself
Feeling temporary relief after hurting yourself, but the emotional pain coming back stronger
Feeling like normal ways of coping don't work for you – the pain is a last resort
Coming up with excuses and ways to explain self-inflicted injuries

It’s normal to look for ways to relieve strong, negative emotions. Although it’s not talked about much, self-harm is a common strategy people use to deal with emotional turmoil. It may not seem like it, but there are other, healthy ways to deal with the pain you're experiencing.

Talking about difficult emotions with someone compassionate and non-judgemental may help lighten your burdens. There are dedicated helpline volunteers in Alabama, United States who are trained to support people through emotional distress. A helpline volunteer can help you process complex feelings and introduce you to healthy coping tools at your own discretion.

Consider contacting a hotline in Alabama, United States right away for free, private help with self harm.