My 43 year old (also adopted, like me) brother told me that he cuts himself. We're not that close, but I can't help but feel like this is a cry for help. He doesn't regularly communicate with any other family members but me. Any suggestions on how to handle this?
It might very well be a cry for help and a sign that he trusts you. How are you going to handle it? Are you tempted to jump into the helper/fixer role? Are you planning to give him a non-judgemental, accepting ear?
It sounds like a heavy burden. Sending you strength.
I am sure it is not easy to hear such a disclosure. On the surface, I do not believe it means you are required to jump in and help him. I really wish I knew the right thing to do.
What I believe is that nobody can help someone if they are not willing to look at some uncomfortable things about their own life and where there might be some underlying causes that trigger such things. Perhaps getting an opinion or insight from an informed third party would help, but someone will probably have to want to take that journey for themselves.
I also will be wishing strength and clarity for you.
Thanks @notrightinthehead & @Blueberry Pancakes !
I really don't feel like it would be safe for me to jump in and support him at this stage in my life, since I'm finally (barely) back on an upswing in my life. I've always just played the role of listener where he is concerned. I think it's going to stay that way unless he actually threatens suicide or something, in which case I will contact the mental health emergency professionals to deal with it. It's heavy, but I have decided I'm going to maintain detached involvement in his life.