Chances are, your friend is in a lot of emotional pain and is hurting herself physically to get some kind of temporary relief from that pain. Self-mutilators inflict physical pain as a desperate way to release the emotional pain they�re feeling.

Self-injurers usually say they feel empty inside, lonely, misunderstood by others and they�re trying to make these feelings go away through hurting themselves physically.
People that self-injure might also struggle with anxiety and depression, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, and fears of being abandoned. And, nearly half report being physically and or sexually abused during childhood.

The term self-mutilation can include everything from cutting the surface of the skin to amputating finger tips and toes. Cutting and burning are the most common forms of self-mutilation

You have to help your friend get help. The best solution is for her to talk to her parents or another trusted adult.

If your friend refuses to get help, you have to tell an adult you can trust. We know this sounds like going against your friend, but self-mutilation is serious. She can end up cutting herself so deep that she inflicts serious or even fatal wounds. That means she can die from cutting herself.

Let your friend know that you�ll be there for her. But be sure that you don�t keep this a secret.  Even if your friend gets mad because you told someone, in the end, she will understand that you helped her through a tough time.