In the life of a parent, few moments can be as terrifying as a child undergoing a mental health crisis, and it’s been happening more and more these days. For some students, cutting or burning themselves is a dangerous way of coping when depression and anxiety lead to an avalanche of painful emotions. A student may feel so numb that they cut themselves in order to feel something. Or in other situations, the young person may feel the need to distract their mind away from their internal pain by causing themselves external pain. Sometimes, it’s a way to validate the pain that they can’t articulate. Whatever the situation, it is heartbreaking for parents to travel this road with their kids. This week on the blog, Associate Pastor of High School Ministry Nathan Kocurek leans in with encouragement and wisdom, with the goal of helping parents to reduce the risk of self-harming behavior and sharing what to do if self-harm has already begun.