Overcoming Teen Self-Harm: Healing with My Daughter

15 Minutes With Dad: Insights on Fatherhood, Co-parenting and Personal Growth

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When I discovered my daughter was self-harming, my world shifted in an instant. What followed was a journey through fear, confusion, and ultimately, mental healing and profound self-love. In this raw and honest conversation with Mariah, we share—publicly for the first time—our experience navigating teen self-harm, offering real hope to families in crisis.

We dive deep into how overwhelming emotions led Mariah to harmful coping behaviors at just 10 years old while adjusting to a new co-parenting dynamic and blended family environment. She bravely shares how feelings of neglect and isolation pushed her toward self-harm, while I reveal the painful moment I realized I’d missed the warning signs as a dad. Together, we confront the harmful myth that self-harm is simply attention-seeking, when it’s often a silent cry for help amidst deep pain and unspoken trauma.

Our journey toward healing wasn’t easy. We found strength through:

• Daily check-ins focused on emotional highs, lows, and positive self-affirmations.
• Therapy to support mental health and emotional growth.
• Using music—her personal dad rock—as a healthy outlet for intense emotions.
• And most importantly, developing supportive communication rooted in understanding, not judgment.

As a father, I had to step fully into my role of leadership—removing harmful objects, monitoring alone time, and keeping doors open—not as control, but as acts of fierce family empowerment and protection.

For parents and teens walking this difficult path, we offer this truth: struggling doesn’t mean someone is broken; it means they’re still fighting. True resilience comes from patience, self-care, and creating safe spaces where even the hardest conversations can happen without fear.

Though the journey is messy, you can transform the experience into stronger bonds, healthier coping, and a renewed sense of purpose. If you’re navigating similar challenges, know that you’re not alone—and that love, shown consistently, can help you and your family reconnect and heal.

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Thank you for joining us on this transformative journey! Together, we're breaking barriers and fostering a community of healing.

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Chapters

1. Overcoming Teen Self-Harm: Healing with My Daughter (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to 15 Minutes with Dad (00:01:46)

3. Why This Conversation Matters (00:03:04)

4. Lyric & Mariah's Personal Journey (00:05:42)

5. Signs Parents Often Miss (00:10:40)

6. From Crisis to Communication (00:18:07)

7. Building Effective Coping Strategies (00:28:09)

8. The Path to Healing (00:36:32)

9. Hope and Encouragement (00:46:47)

10. Closing Thoughts (00:52:07)