According to the American Counseling Association, an estimated 14 to 20 percent of teenagers have or still are self-harming.

Self-harm is deliberate harm of ones body without the intent of suicide. For many this subject is very prevalent in their lives. Self-harm is considered an addiction.

Doctors give a list of reasons for self-harm: to distract from emotional pain, to punish one’s self, relieve tension, make emotional pain physical, according to www.selfinjuryfoundation.org.

For all who harm, there is a list of triggers- what makes them want to cut. Many times, stress, sights, memories or certain situations are a trigger according to www.selfinjuryfoundation.org.

In mid-January, this topic had been brought to light in a not-so-realistic way: #cuttingforbieber. No one is sure about exactly how it started, but the reason is as follows; Justin Bieber was supposedly caught smoking marijuana. In turn, a few fans decided to cut their wrists and forearms until he stopped smoking. The thing is, it isn’t a fans’ decision what a celebrity chooses to do with their life.

Counselor Kristi Dixon had strong views on the subject:

“Nobody gets to be held hostage, and that is basically what is happening,” Dixon said.

Many students know someone who has or is still self-harming. For example, junior Gabi Bailey knows about four people.

“I feel sad when I find out and confused,” Bailey said. “You don’t expect these people to hurt themselves.”

Not only students see those who struggle with self harm, staff members do too.

“I worked at a psychiatric hospital and worked with many girls in particular who cut,” wrestling coach Dustin Dooley said. “I was able to help them want to live again and have a real life.”

The first time I ever self-harmed was in the beginning of freshman year.  I burned the word ‘heal’ into my arm as a symbol of getting through my depression and a rough situation. That was what I thought was the last time.

With each trigger, I had a new burn on my leg. Soon enough, burning myself became an everyday affair.

By the time winter break started, my thigh was covered in scars and fresh blistering burns. I promised myself and my boyfriend I would stop. But I gave into the urge after 134 days.

When my parents found out, the lighters I used were taken away. Like any other addiction, I became desperate to harm.

I went into my bathroom and found a razor. It took me about five minutes to take it apart. There were three thin blades laying on my bed.

After many more months of cutting, I decided I wanted my life back.

Now, it has been over 100 days. The scars that cover my legs are a constant reminder of the emotions I was feeling and my desperate attempt to escape.

There are many great websites I used, and others have used, to seek help. To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit origination with the goal of helping people with depression, self-harm, suicide, and addiction.

If one of your friends self harms, don’t react with anger or sadness. Let them know it hurts both you and them. Have them tell someone or you yourself  tell someone.