My little brother cuts himself what do I do?

[Jenny]

So my little brother is only 11 years old and in grade 6. I just found out he cut like an hour ago so I'm still kind of freaking out. He had these scars on his arms and he said they were all from falling on the ice but they were all in a concentrated space and looked exactly like self harm scars. I know a lot about self harm because three of my friends all cut and I've sort of been dragged into their world of depression and suicide and cutting, although I myself will never ever cut. Anyways so I realized that the time he got these was about the same time he got Instagram which was a week ago so, I hacked his Instagram (and yes I think it was the right thing to do, I'm his big sister and trying to help him). It turns out he has been cutting and also tried to kill himself by drinking bleach. He sent pictures of his arm next to a knife (the knife my family uses to cut vegetable wtf does he even clean it that freaks me out, also when does he do this idk I'm around all the time) with the caption "I really want to cut" and stuff like that on Instagram direct message. So he for sure does cut. I don't know what to do with this information. Do I tell my parents? I don't want to freak them out, they have a lot of stress already. But I think I should. I'm 14 btw and I'm his older sister. I'm really worried because he's only 11. Does he even know what he's doing? Does he think it's cool? Getting him attention? Or is there something deeper, something seriously wrong with him, a mental illness or something. I will love him no matter what, I just want him safe and for this to stop. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

[Shan]

tell your parents

[irock808]

If you think he tried to kill himself you definitely need to tell someone. He'll probably be mad at you for that, but saving his life is more important. I think you should tell your parents but I think he needs to get professional help. Or at least just try going to counseling. When you try to quit those things, just on your own without any help, it's really hard.

[Wassup]

At his age hes probably not gonna go through a bunch of crap that would make him severally depressed and suicidal. You said he posts pictures of knifes and references to cutting so hes most likely doing it for attention. If he was actually depressed then he would keep it to himself and not post pictures of knifes and his scarred arm on instagram. You need to confront him about this and also get your parents involved.

[Pearl L]

tell your parents

[Horsense]

I suggest that you first read the following articles, and then tell your parents that they need to read them, telling them why . . .

"Young People Ask . . .

Why Do I Hurt Myself?"
wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102006004

"How Can I Stop Hurting Myself?"
wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102006046

[The Unknown]

Yes,he probably thinks it's cool. Probably because in two years,he would be a teen,...and he's already looking for attention. Your parents may have a lot of stress,but telling them that your brother is cutting himself just tells them that you're watching over your little brother,and they would appreciate it. Stop it immediately,as fast as you can. It's a good thing this boy has a loving sister to take care of him.

P.S you were totally right about hacking in his Instagram

[abbottabadi]

you should tell your parents right now,so that they can take your brother to a counselour or psychiatrist.you would be a fool if you didn,t tell them and you would also be responsible for the outcome.

[Mystery]

I think you should tell you're parents. They need to know before something really bad happens to him. I wouldn't want anything happening to my brother he's 11 and I'm 14 so yea... If I were in you're situation I would try to tell my parents in the most calm way I could.

[Lynda Dixon]

I would try to talk to him first, maybe he needs someone to pay attention to him and the only way he can express it is through cutting, explain to him the seriousness of it is he doing it to fit in with his friends or is he doing it because he seriously needs help , if talking to him doesn't make him stop defiantly tell your parents or a counselor at school or a family member he is close to, maybe spend more time with him and tell him it's no game .Maybe your school can make it a point to educate the kids it is not normal, just like bullying can lead to tragic endings when it could be prevented through educating and acknowledging the seriousness of the problem!!! Do something!!!