March 1st every year is Self-Injury Awareness Day, which is designed to encourage people to open up about self-harm. It is a global event that has been raising awareness since 2002.
An estimated four percent of all Americans self-harm, typically as adolescents or in college. It is a dangerous behavior that can signify mental health issues or the inability to cope. Self-Injury Awareness Day brings this practice into the light to raise awareness and promote understanding. If you are using self-injury as a way to deal with the stress of life. TruHealing Centers can help you address the causes of your self-harm and develop healthy coping strategies to alleviate the need for it.
What Is Self-Injury?
Self-injury or self-harm is exactly what it sounds like — deliberately hurting yourself. It manifests in different ways, though. Some common forms of self-injury include:
- Burning
- Cutting
- Pinching
- Picking skin
- Scratching
Self-injury is not the same thing as a suicide attempt. It is non-lethal in most cases, although accidents like cutting too deep or getting an infection can lead to death.
Why Do People Self-Injure?
Self-injury is mostly used as a coping mechanism. It releases tension and distracts from the real problems you face. Some mental health conditions can leave you feeling numb, too, and cutting or scratching allows you to feel something. There are also people that self-harm to turn emotional turmoil into something physical. It communicates the intense emotions they feel when they can’t do it for themselves. Self-injury can be a form of punishment. You may feel guilty or overwhelming remorse, and you need to respond.
What Are the Symptoms of Self-Injury?
People who self-injure generally try to cover it up. You might notice someone you care about is suddenly wearing long sleeve shirts all the time, even when the clothing doesn’t fit the season. Other signs include:
- Bruises, cuts, or burns they can’t explain well.
- Moodiness and unable to handle strong emotions
- Problems at work or with relationships
- Poor self-esteem
You may also see them picking at their skin or scratching all the time.
What Happens on Self-Injury Awareness Day?
On Self-Injury Awareness Day, organizations, schools, community centers, and treatment facilities will organize ways to raise awareness about self-harm and its impact. They may include virtual in-person campaigns that provide self-injury information and where to find help.
If you suspect someone you care about is self-harming, there are ways you can help, and that’s what Self-Injury Awareness Day is all about — reaching out and talking about it. You can encourage them to tell you how they are feeling and really listen to what they say. Show your concern about them hurting themselves but make it clear that you are not judging them in any way. And let them tell their story at their pace. Once you are talking about it, you can work together to find support.
Finding Help on Self-Injury Awareness Day
If you need help on Self-Injury Awareness Day, consider reaching out to a family doctor or going online and contacting organizations such as the SElf-Injury Foundation or LifeSIGns (Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support). You can also look to programs like TruHealing Centers for information.
TruHealing Centers is a leader in mental health treatment and substance abuse. There are a variety of TruHealing Centers around the country, specifically on the east coast in states like Florida and Georgia.
Services at TruHealing Centers include:
At TruHealing Centers, we believe it’s important to be part of programs like Self-Injury Awareness Day in our many communities. We offer a continuum of care and care coordination support should you need it that includes working with spiritual resources in the community.
End Self-Injury with TruHealing Centers
Self-injury can be treated with help from TruHealing Centers. If you have questions about self-harm or mental health treatment, give us a call today at [Direct] or fill out our online contact form. The specialists at TruHealing Centers are here to help.