Category Archives: Crisis

Why Is My Teenager Cutting?

Kids cutting themselves, this was not something we knew about when I was growing up. Now most parents and teenagers are aware of it, and more likely know someone who does it.

Self-injury is a behavior that can occur earlier than age ten, but more often starts in early adolescence. It is usually done in private. Any number of sharp implements can be used to cut, such as razor blades, knives or thumb tacks. Cutting can easily be done on parts of the body that are out of sight and the cuts can be hidden behind loose clothing. As a result, parents are often caught by surprise when they find out their child has been doing it.

Self-injury is not the same as trying to commit suicide. But those who cut may be more at risk for thinking about suicide. Therefore if your child is cutting, it is important to get a risk assessment by a professional who has experience with adolescents. This can be done by a medical doctor, therapist, school counselor, psychiatrist or social worker.

Adolescents who are cutting are often trying to manage, and decrease, intolerable feelings. Many teens report that cutting provides a sense of relief and helps them manage intense negative feelings. Researchers have identified a variety of motivations for cutting, such as relieving anxiety, releasing anger, avoiding unpleasant thoughts and feelings, managing guilt, loneliness and depression.

Therapy is the most common form of treatment for self-injury. A skilled therapist can help adolescents identify alternative coping skills and addresses the underlying issues that are triggering the behavior. Parents can take steps to reduce cutting by securing the sharp implements in the house and increasing the supervision. Finally it can be helpful to talk directly with your child about your concerns and desire for the behavior to stop. It is important to avoid shame, blame, anger or guilt. Let your child know that they can come talk with you if they have urges to cut.

If you would like to read more about self-harm I have provided links below.

What do we know about self-injury?
Cutting and self-injury
Warning signs and treatment

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Mental Health Crisis Resources – Santa Barbara County

The following is a list of crisis resources for Santa Barbara county.

The fastest way to get help for a mental health emergency is to call 911, or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room.

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
400 West Pueblo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105. 805-682-7111

Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital
351 South Patterson Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93111. 805-967-3411

Lompoc Valley Medical Center
1515 East Ocean Ave., Lompoc, CA 93436
805-737-3300

Mental Health Crisis Intervention

Santa Barbara County has several 24-hour mental health crisis services. These crisis teams provide both phone and in-person support.

Mental Health Access Team
The Access Team is part of Santa Barbara county’s Division of Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services. They offer 24-hour crisis support that is focused primarily on adults. To reach 24-hour support for a mental health emergency:
234 De La Vina St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105

888-868-1649

SAFTY (Safe Alternatives for Treating Youth)
For children (under 21 years-old) who are experiencing a mental health emergency in Santa Barbara county. SAFTY provides crisis intervention for suicide, self-harm, running away, family conflict and much more. Available 24-hours: 888-334-2777
casapacifica.org

Rape and Domestic Violence

For those in immediate danger call 911.

Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center
24-hour hotline, crisis intervention and support for survivors of sexual assault.
433 East Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
24-hour Hotline: 805-564-3696
Main: 805-963-6832
www.sbrapecrisiscenter.org

North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center
Crisis hotline for victims of sexual assault.
Lompoc: 805-736-7273
Santa Maria: 805-928-3554

Domestic Violence Solutions
24-Hour Access to emergency shelters and phone support for victims of domestic abuse.
Santa Barbara: 805-964-5245
Lompoc: 805-736-0965
Santa Maria: 805-925-2160
Santa Ynez Valley: 805-686-4390
www.dvsolutions.org/

Alcohol and Drug Dependency

Cottage Residential Center
Inpatient rehabilitation from drug and alcohol dependency in Santa Barbara.
316 W. Montecito St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-569-7422
Cottage Residential Center

Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
Intensive outpatient chemical dependency program in Santa Barbara.
Call 805-569-8339 to schedule an assessment or obtain more information.
Cottage Hospital

HIV / Aids

Santa Barbara county has locations for anonymous HIV Testing and confidential Hepatitis C Testing. Testing is free of charge and available to anyone over the age of 12 years.

Pacific Pride Foundation
Santa Barbara
126 E. Haley Street, Suite A-11, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. To make an appointment: 805-963-3636 (ext. 106)

Santa Maria
819 W. Church St., Santa Maria, CA 93458. To make an appointment: 805-349-9947 (ext. 112)
pacificpridefoundation.org

Homeless Resources

Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter
Noah’s provides shelter for youth between the ages of 10 and 17. This 8 bed facility operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Noah’s is for youth dealing with homelessness, running away from home or struggling with difficult personal or family issues. Services are free of charge.
301 W. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-8775
24 Hotline: 1-866-HELP TEEN
Noah’s Anchorage

Transition House
A crisis shelter for families struggling with homelessness. Transition House provides services to stabilize families, identify goals, initiate education and employment programs and enroll children in schools.
434 E. Ortega St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone:(805) 730-3848
transitionhouse.com

Casa Esperanza
Open 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Provides a winter shelter and free daily meals to homeless individuals and families. They also offer a wide variety of other services to the homeless population.
816 Cacique St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 884-8481

Child Abuse

If a child is in immediate danger call 911.
To make a child abuse report in Santa Barbara County: 800-367-0166 (Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
To make a child abuse report after hours or weekends, call Sheriff’s Dispatch: 805-683-2724
Child Welfare Services

Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse

Call 911 if there is an immediate danger. To make an elder, or dependent adult, abuse report in Santa Barbara County call Adult Protective Services:
Santa Barbara: 805-681-4550
Santa Maria: 805-346-8303
Lompoc: 805-737-6020

For elder abuse happening in a long-term care facility call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Crisis line.
24-Hour Crisis Line: 800-231-4024
Local Crisis Line: 805-785-0132
Santa Barbara Sheriff

Reaching out for Help

What do you do when children of yours begin to show signs that they are in real trouble? They may be withdrawing, acting erratically or becoming extremely defiant. Behaviors may become so bad that you worry for their safety. As a parent, if you are beginning to feel helpless and overwhelmed about your child’s situation it is time to get some help. Sometimes just making the decision to reach out can alleviate some of the tension and sense of helplessness that you feel.

When behavior becomes a safety risk it is important to take action right away. In almost every city there is a mental health crisis team that can evaluate and assess children struggling with suicide, homicide, or extreme mental illness. Often they are available to come to your home 24-hours a day. Another option is to take your child to the nearest emergency room to be evaluated there. See local Santa Barbara Country Resources.

If the crisis is not so acute, it is still important to seek out help. Involving an objective healthcare professional, such as a therapist or doctor can really help. Having someone who is a trained listener can help your family express feelings about the situation. A professional is also able to assess the risk and make recommendations for how to resolve the crisis.

The best thing about a crisis is that it allows a family to address a situation that has been building for some time. Crisis symptoms such as rebellion, running away, depression, suicidal thoughts and cutting are all forms of communication that a child is feeling hopeless and overwhelmed by some aspect of their lives. Remember that there are resources to help.

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Andrew McGowan, MFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist