Key focus
- Self-harm is a sign of emotional distress, not attention-seeking. It reflects underlying pain, trauma, or unmet emotional needs.
- While not always linked to suicidal intent, self-harm significantly increases future suicide risk, making early understanding and support crucial.
- It often serves as a way to cope with overwhelming feelings or numbness, offering temporary relief but continuing a harmful cycle.
- Awareness goes beyond physical signs – it requires addressing stigma, encouraging empathy, and creating safe spaces for open conversations.
- Recovery is possible with the right support, and seeking help is the first and most important step toward healing.
March is globally recognized as Self-Harm Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to a difficult yet important topic. Self-harm is often misunderstood, carrying stigma and misconceptions that can make it harder for people struggling to seek help. By taking the time to learn about the signs of self-harm, we can build understanding, encourage open conversations and help people find the support they need.
Self-harm also known as non-suicidal self-injury, involves intentionally hurting oneself. It can take many forms, including cutting, burning, or piercing the skin, hitting oneself, hair-pulling, or even breaking bones. Self-harm often begins in pre-teen, teenage years and can continue into adulthood.
It is often misunderstood as attention-seeking behaviour, but in reality, it is usually a sign of deep emotional difficulty and unmet needs for support. It’s important to note that someone who self-harms is usually not harming themselves with the intent to die by suicide. However, self-harming behaviours can be a risk factor for future suicide attempts.
Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year, noting that previous self-harm is one of the strongest risk factors for future suicide. Researchers emphasize that many who engage in self-harm are not attempting to end their lives but are instead coping with overwhelming emotional distress, trauma, or feelings of numbness.
Self-harm is a coping mechanism to deal with a problem, overwhelming emotions, distress, internal pain, anger or numbness. It can be triggered by current situations or past trauma and abuse. People may self-harm to feel in control, feel alive, or simply feel something when things feel out of control. While someone may feel a sense of relief from their emotional pain after self-harming, it’s only temporary and doesn’t address the underlying issues. When difficult feelings come up again, the cycle of self-harm often continues.
What signs should you be aware of in someone who may be self-harming?
- Scars, sometimes arranged in patterns
- Frequent claims of accidental injuries
- Mood swings, irritability, or depression
- Low self-esteem or self-critical statements
- Repeatedly rubbing a particular area to cause a burn
- Recent cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks or other wounds
- Periods of isolation and withdrawal from family and friends
- Having sharp objects or other implements for self-injury readily available.
- Consistently wearing long sleeves or pants to conceal self-harm, even in warm weather
But understanding self-harm goes beyond recognizing the physical signs. It requires us to confront the stigma and misunderstanding that’s often around it.
Recovery from self-harm takes time and support, but it is possible. Those who engage in self-harm may feel trapped by shame and fear, hesitant to seek help for fear of being judged or labelled. It’s important to remind those who are hurting that help is available and that starts with understanding the underlying reasons and helping them develop healthier ways of coping. Whether through therapy, medication, support groups, or a combination of approaches, treatment for self-harm can help people address their emotional distress and feel better without harming themselves. The first step to healing is to reach out for help.
As we navigate through Self-Harm Awareness Month, let’s commit to creating spaces of empathy and understanding. Let’s offer support without judgment, recognizing that healing begins with compassion.
If you know someone who may be self-harming or if you’re struggling with self-harm yourself, it’s vital to reach out for support. You are not alone. There is help available.
Very informative article