Self-Injury Awareness Day is designed to raise global awareness about self-harm and self-injury. Although depression is a major cause of self-harm for many people, there are other reasons why some might choose to harm themselves. Every single year, two million Americans engage in self-harm practices, including scratching, cutting, and hitting themselves.

Self-harm is often misrepresented by the media and misunderstood among the general public, which can lead to those who self-harm feeling isolated, alone, and afraid to reach out for help. We can all help prevent that by observing this day on the 1st of March every year.

Important Facts To Know About Self-Harm

Below are some very important facts that we feel everyone should know about self-injury. Knowledge is the first step in helping people acknowledge and seek help for self-injury practices, so we have provided some important information below.

• There are various types of nonsuicidal self-injury that may include burning, cutting, or headbanging.
• Individuals who self-harm often try to hide their behaviors out of fear.
• Treatment for self-harm may include medication and/or various therapies.
• Viewing online content about self-harm can be a trigger for real-life self-harm.
• Self-harm is used by some to relieve discomfort or to combat stress.
• Self-harm isn’t a practice that’s done to draw attention or to be dramatic.

Observing Self-Injury Awareness Day

On this day, people can take the time to break the silence and help shine a light on self-harm. They can do this by working in conjunction with agencies such as Life Signs (Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support), The Mix, or other agencies that attempt to bring self-harm into the public’s view. People can also use the hashtag #SelfInjuryAwarenessDay to spread the word about this day on their social media accounts.