Advice for Teenage Daughter

So we have an appointment set up for her to see a psychiatrist because she’s opened up about her depression and anxiety to me. I noticed the change and told her in her behavior and told her everyone goes through it and it’s okay and it’ll get better.

I recently discovered that she has been self harming (she scratches at her legs and body whenever she has a crying spell) and that was something she left out and I have not seen until I walked in on her one night.

Unfortunately since she will be a new patient her appointment isn’t until 2 more months. Can someone explain to me self harm and why she is doing this? Should I be more concerned like she might do something bigger? (Suicide) she’s assured me that she doesn’t have the urge to do that, but she “impulsively” does it whenever she has these breakdowns.

I don’t think she’s doing it for attention because she doesn’t show it off or anything and keeps it hidden. She’s always wearing some type of pants. She used to be an A student and over the semester her grades have declined and she’s just been antisocial. We are really open with each other and she’s told me that this is not subsequent to anything and she’s just fallen into this mood.

Please any help is appreciated, should I take her to the ER or just keep an eye on her? Can someone explain self harm to me? TIA.