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telling a teacher about self-injury
17/f. A little over a month ago I was hospitalized for suicidal thoughts. I was there for a week and then did out-patient therapy for a week. I was after school late and I finally had enough of feeling like that. So I went and talked to a teacher. I have talked to him before about my panic attacks and mood swings. So, I've been out of therapy. But I'm still feeling really depressed and I have been getting panic attacks again(I'm on meds). I almost just cut myself, but I just scratched my arm til it went red. I also snap my wrist with a hairtie til it goes red and numb. I can't go back into therapy. I just need to talk to someone. It's just, I could talk to my teacher but if I tell him about my arm, and something else that may happen, can he keep it confidential, as long as I am not suicidal? I feel like I just need to talk and I really can't go back inpatient or outpatient. Can he not tell someone as long as I'm not suicidal? To what extent can he keep something confidential? He is someone I can talk to; I don't open up to people very often, especially if they aren't people I know. So...yeah.
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Teachers are mandatory reporters, so they have to report anything like that. They are required by law, so he can't keep that secret even if he wants to.
You said you don't open up much, but is it easier on the internet? There are some help websites and discussion places on the internet for dealing with depression and anxiety. Some of them are 18 and over only, but I'm sure there are a few that allow teens, too. One that I can think of right now is The Bathroom Sink and Advice, which are both cults (basically clubs--they aren't actual religious cults) on vampirefreaks.com. The members are really helpful and many of them have been through the same kind of things you have. You need to make an account to join the cults, but it's worth it.
Here are links to the two cults:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
I think you should still talk to your teacher, just be careful when telling him things you want kept confidential. Talk to him about what he can tell and can't tell; he has no reason to lie to you about it.
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With what you're describing, technically he would have to tell.
Although, I was in the same position as you are about 3/4 years ago, my freshman year (I'm a senior, 17/f). I did speak with a teacher who was very helpful and she kept my secret for me. I'm not exactly sure why but I'm really grateful she did. She was a lot of help and it made me feel better that nobody knew but her because it made me know that nobody else was judging me, nor was she (or at least it didn't come off that way to me)...
So, technically he would have to tell. Maybe he won't. It's something you would have to take your chances with. Try and make a deal with him - if you progress with him and start doing better he won't tell. If he feels that you still need help then he'll let you know first that he's going to tell and he'll do what he feels is necessary. If other people think you need help then maybe you do.
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well this may be different in your school or whatever but the rule is usually.
a teacher has to tell if they know
if someone is planning on hurting themself (or has)
if someone is planning on hurting someone else
or if someone else is hurting someone else.
not so sure about the last one but im 100% about the first two.
so technically he is supposed to tell someone, but he may not, but he is supposed to and probably would.
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