Self Injury Awareness Day

 Often self harm is seen as a sign of mental weakness or attention seeking behaviour. Views such as these often delay and prevent the person resorting to harming self from seeking help.

Self-harm is usually a sign that a person is having a tough time coping with their emotions. The term self-harm encompasses a variety of behaviors that may include but are not limited to cutting, scratching, burning, picking etc.

People who self-harm may do so for following reasons.

1. To help manage unbearable emotions and symptoms

2. To help regain a sense of feeling (for those experiencing numbness) 3. To help relieve stress and pressure 4. To help feel in control 5. To reenact a trauma in an attempt to resolve it 6. To protect others from emotional pain

What Can You Do? How you react if someone discloses their self-harm is extremely important. The news may distress you and you may feel overwhelmed with emotions. You may also feel confused, frustrated, guilty or sad. All of these emotions, plus so many more, are not only valid but common. 1. Don’t Panic- learning that someone you know or love has been or is currently self-harming can be a shock. Try not to panic or expect to be able to fix all their problems. Sometimes just being there and providing a safe and non-judgmental space is enough. 2. Listen- Allow the person to speak with interruption or judgement. For a lot of individuals who self-harm, self-harming is the only way they know how to express emotion. So for someone to open up to you about their self-harming behaviors is a huge breakthrough! 3. Help Them Find Support- Offer to help the individual find support in the area if they are open to it. Finding support options can be overwhelming for them and your assistance may be just what they need. 4. Be There For the Long Haul- Don’t expect a quick fix. Some people self-harm for years as a way of dealing with difficult emotions or situations. Most people don’t want to be defined by their self-harm, so keep on being a friend to them as normal too. 5. Look After Yourself- It’s important to look after yourself when helping a loved one who is self-harming. Recognizing the need to set boundaries on what you can offer and getting help for yourself is important.