Self-Harm Awareness Month: Understanding, Supporting, and Breaking the Stigma
Written by Halsey Redman
March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, a time to reflect on the impact of self-harm and to shine a light on the struggles faced by those who engage in these behaviors. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness, foster understanding, and reduce the stigma surrounding this topic. In this post, we will explore what self-harm is, why people may turn to it, and how we can all contribute to creating a more supportive environment for those who are struggling.
What is Self-Harm?
Self-harm refers to any intentional injury to one’s body, often as a way of coping with overwhelming emotions, mental health issues, or life stressors. While cutting is one of the most commonly known forms, self-harm can also involve burning, scratching, or hitting oneself. It’s essential to understand that self-harm is not an attempt to end one’s life, but rather a way for individuals to express emotional pain or feel a sense of control over their distress.
Why Do People Self-Harm?
Self-harm can be a complex response to various emotional, psychological, or social issues. Here are some common reasons why people may engage in self-harming behaviors:
Emotional Pain: Many people who self-harm do so as a way to deal with intense emotional pain, such as sadness, grief, guilt, or anger. It can feel like a temporary release from these overwhelming feelings.
Numbness or Disconnection: For some, self-harm can be a way to feel something when they are struggling with numbness, depression, or emotional detachment.
Control: In situations where an individual feels powerless or out of control in other aspects of their life, self-harm may provide a false sense of control over their emotions or physical experience.
Coping with Trauma: People who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect may use self-harm as a coping mechanism to manage the aftermath of their experiences.
Mental Health Conditions: Self-harm is often associated with conditions like depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and eating disorders. It can be a symptom of a deeper mental health struggle.
The Importance of Awareness
Self-Harm Awareness Month is about much more than just understanding the behavior—it’s about changing the narrative around self-harm and offering support to those who need it. There are many myths and misconceptions about self-harm that can perpetuate shame, silence, and isolation. Let’s work together to break these stigmas.
Key Myths vs. Facts:
Myth: Self-harm is only about seeking attention.
Fact: While some may feel the need to hide their self-harming behaviors, most people engage in self-harm as a private struggle with deep emotional pain. It is rarely about attention, but more often a way to cope with overwhelming feelings.
Myth: Self-harm is only a teenage issue.
Fact: Self-harm affects people of all ages, from young children to adults. While it often begins in adolescence, it can persist or resurface at any point in life.
Myth: People who self-harm are weak or selfish.
Fact: Self-harm is a mental health issue, and individuals who engage in these behaviors are often battling severe emotional pain. They need understanding, compassion, and support, not judgment.
How to Support Someone Who Self-Harms
If you suspect someone you care about is struggling with self-harm, it can be difficult to know how to offer support. Here are some practical steps to consider:
Listen without Judgment: If they choose to open up about their self-harming behaviors, listen with empathy. Avoid minimizing their experience or offering unsolicited advice. Simply being there to listen can provide immense relief.
Encourage Professional Help: Gently suggest that they seek support from a mental health professional, whether it’s a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist. Therapy can help them explore the underlying issues contributing to their self-harm and work toward healthier coping mechanisms.
Be Patient: Healing from self-harm takes time. While you can offer support, remember that recovery is a journey, and there may be setbacks. Be patient, understanding, and consistent in your care. Know that there are limits to the amount of help you can provide. If you’re not a professional- it is not your sole responsibility to advise or care for someone.
Learn and Educate Yourself: Educating yourself about self-harm can help you better understand what someone may be going through and how to offer more informed support. It also helps you to be mindful of your language and actions, ensuring you don’t unintentionally hurt or alienate them.
How We Can All Make a Difference
During Self-Harm Awareness Month, we all have a role to play in spreading awareness and creating a more supportive, compassionate environment. Whether you are personally affected by self-harm or know someone who is, we can all help reduce stigma and encourage open conversations.
Here are some ways to get involved:
Raise Awareness: Share information about self-harm and its impact on social media, in conversations, or through community events. The more people know, the more likely they are to offer support.
Advocate for Mental Health Resources: Support organizations that provide mental health care for individuals who self-harm and advocate for accessible mental health services in your community.
Show Compassion: Kindness, patience, and non-judgmental support can go a long way in helping someone who is struggling. It may not be easy, but showing empathy and care is one of the most powerful ways to help.
Conclusion
Self-Harm Awareness Month is an opportunity to bring awareness to an issue that affects millions of people, but it’s also a chance to remind ourselves of the importance of compassion, support, and understanding. By opening up conversations about self-harm, we can help those who are struggling feel less alone and more empowered to seek help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harming tendencies please reach out for support. You do not have to handle this alone. Call (603) 238-3149 or email office@growingrootsllc.com to set up an appointment. If you’re in immediate need of assistance Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
