Cutting isn't new, but this form of self-injury (SI) has been
out in the open more in recent years, portrayed in movies and on
TV — even talked about by celebrities who have admitted to
cutting themselves at some point. Cutting is a serious issue
that affects many teens. Even if you haven't heard about
cutting, chances are good that your teen has and might even know
someone who does it. Like other risky behaviors, cutting can be
dangerous and habit-forming. In most cases, it is also a sign of
deeper emotional distress. In some cases, peers can influence
teens to experiment with cutting. The topic of cutting can be
troubling for parents. It can be hard to understand why a teen
would deliberately self-injure, and worrisome to think your teen
— or one of your teen's friends — could be at risk. But parents
who are aware of this important issue and understand the
emotional pain it can signal are in a position to help. What Is
Cutting? Someone who cuts uses a sharp object to make marks,
cuts, or scratches on the bo