Understanding Self-Harm: A Guide to Support and Recovery

March 1st is Self-Injury/Harm Awareness Day (SIAD). On this day and throughout the month of March, we aim to raise awareness, understanding and compassion for those who have experienced the hurt that has led them, or individuals close to them, to self-harm. We use this time as a way to come together as a community to help break the silence and help end the stigma behind self-injury and self-harm. 

Self-Injury/Harm refers to when an individual hurts their own body on purpose. In most situations when someone chooses to self-harm they usually do not mean to kill themselves, however, they are at higher risk of attempting and dying by suicide if they do not get the help they need. 

Self-harm tends to begin in teen or early adult years. For many people, self-harm gives them a sense of relief and is used as a means to cope with a problem or hurt that they feel on the inside. By engaging in self-harm, like cutting, they are able to feel a physical pain that in that moment helps their mental and emotional pain “melt away.” Some teens say that when they hurt themselves they are trying to stop feeling lonely, angry or hopeless. Others may use it as a way to feel in control, to feel something when all they feel is numb, or to punish themselves. 

Examples of Self-harm

• Cutting one’s skin with a sharp object such as a knife, razor blade, sharp end of a paperclip 
• Piercing the skin with a sharp object, such as a needle or pin
• Hitting or punching oneself or punching things like a wall
• Buring oneself with cigarettes, matches, or candles
• Breaking bones or bruising oneself

Possible Warning Signs

• Scars, often in patterns on arms and legs 
• Wearing long sleeves or pants, even in hot weather
• Talking about feeling worthless or helpless
• Fresh cuts, bruises, bite marks, or burns
• Keeping sharp objects on hand
• Emotional and behavioral instability 
• Changes in eating habits like over or under-eating

Healthy Coping Skills for Self-harm

Ways to get started in working toward finding healthier ways of coping are journaling, writing down your thoughts and feelings on paper and ripping them up and throwing them away, drawing or scribbling with a red marker to visually represent blood on paper, connect with someone positive, practice mindfulness, going for a walk, changing the environment you are in, spend time in nature, and safely use cold touch, by taking a cold shower, washing hands/face in cold water, to help reset your mind and body. 

Where to Get Help

It is important to know that there is always hope and help to be able to find other ways of coping with these difficult feelings and emotions. If you or a loved one are feeling this way or are in need of help please reach out to a trusted person to talk to. You can also call or text 988, or contact Hopeful Horizons. Your CHI Health primary care provider or mental health provider can also help get you started with therapy and medication management, as well as connect you to resources. 

Resources: 

https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/conditions/self-harm

https://www.hopefulhorizonsne.org/