March is Self-Injury Awareness Month, a designation focused on highlighting awareness about a topic that is often shrouded in secrecy. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year. Of those adults, 20% will struggle with a serious mental illness that interferes with one or more major life activities. And of that 20%, six percent will engage in self-injury at some point in their lives (NAMI, 2022.)
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), approximately one in five adolescents regularly engage in some form of self-harm. The study also found that self-harm is more common among girls than boys and is most prevalent among teens between the ages of 15 and 17. However, it’s important to note that self-injury can affect people of any age and gender (AACAP, 2023).
So, what is self-injury, how does it relate to mental health concerns, and how can you help someone struggling with it?
What is Self-Injury?
Self-injury, or self-harm, is any deliberate and non-suicidal act that causes physical harm to one’s body. Self-injuring is often triggered or caused by an inability to cope with emotions or stressors. While the act of injuring may temporarily relieve the emotional distress, it is oftentimes followed by a period of shame or guilt, and that can start the cycle over again.
Common methods of self-harm include:
- bruising
- burning
- cutting
- hair pulling
- hitting
- scratching
It’s important to note that not all self-injury is visible. Some people may engage in binge eating or purging, overdosing on drugs or alcohol, or risky behaviors as a form of self-harm (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2022).
Warning Signs of Self-Injury
There are warning signs that may indicate someone is struggling with self-harm. If you notice any of the following signs in yourself or someone else, it’s important to reach out for help:
- expressing feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- isolating oneself from friends and family
- making frequent references to self-harming behaviors
- unexplained injuries or scars from cuts, burns, bruises, etc.
- wearing long sleeves or pants, even in hot weather
While self-injury is more common than many people realize, it can be hard to identify in yourself or someone you care about. That’s why understanding the warning signs of self-injury is so important. Additionally, these warning signs could be indicative of other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, so these should not be taken lightly if observed in a loved one.
Physical Signs of Self-Harm
The most obvious warning sign of self-injury typically manifests in physical form. This may include cuts, bruises, scars, burns, or other types of injuries that are not easily explained. It’s also important to look out for signs that someone is trying to cover up their injury with clothing or long sleeves, even when it’s hot outside.
Emotional Signs of Self-Harm
Self-injury often occurs during times of strong emotion, such as sadness, anger, or guilt. If you or someone you know has difficulty managing these emotions and seems overwhelmed or unable to regulate their feelings, this could be a sign they are engaging in self-harming behaviors. Other emotional signs include withdrawal from family and friends, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, intense mood swings, and unpredictable behavior.
Behavioral Signs of Self-Harm
Behavioral red flags for potential self-harm are like those of other mental health issues – most notably, depression or anxiety. These can include isolating oneself from social activities and events; difficulty sleeping; increased use of alcohol or drugs; irritability and aggression; talking about death or wanting to die; sudden changes in eating habits; changes in school performance; lack of motivation without an obvious reason; extreme risk-taking with no regard for safety precautions; and excessive spending without any consideration for financial circumstances.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of the signs above—whether physical, emotional, or behavioral—it’s important to seek help right away from a mental health professional who specializes in treating individuals experiencing self-harming behaviors, like one of our qualified telepsychiatrists at Embrace Health.
Contact embrace health today for more information about our online telepsychiatry or therapy services, or book an appointment online to connect with one of our dedicated and compassionate mental health professionals.
How to Help Someone Struggling with Self-Harm
If you suspect someone you know is struggling with self-harm, the best thing you can do is talk to them about it; but be sure to approach the conversation with care, concern, empathy, and respect. If your friend or family member confides in you about their struggle with self-injury, there are several steps you can take to ensure their safety and well-being.
First and foremost, listen without judgment when they open up about their emotions and feelings – this can make all the difference for someone who feels isolated from everyone else around them. Secondly, reach out for professional help. This can range from speaking confidentially with a licensed therapist, like those available through Embrace Health’s online therapy services, or seeking more intensive treatment, like visits with a psychiatrist, which is also available through our telepsychiatry services.
Lastly, check in frequently to let them know that you care and will always be there when they need support, but that you also respect their privacy when appropriate. This kind of connection can truly make a world of difference in helping them on their path toward recovery. With the proper treatment and support from family members and friends, those who struggle with self-injuring can learn healthier ways to cope with their emotions, so they no longer feel the need to resort to destructive behaviors to manage their stress levels. However, if they are not ready to talk about it, respect their wishes, but let them know you are available when they are ready, as self-injury is a serious mental health issue that should never be ignored.
If you have noticed any combination of physical, behavioral, or emotional warning signs discussed here—either in yourself or someone else—it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible from a qualified mental health provider who specializes in treating people who engage in self-harming behaviors. Remember, seeking help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger and healthier, and it helps improves your quality of life.
Ultimately, Self-Injury Awareness Month is an important designation that allows us to come together and raise awareness about self-harming behaviors while also providing resources to help ensure those struggling with self-injuring know they aren’t alone in their journey toward recovery. Many misunderstandings exist around this topic, so it’s essential we use this time each year as an opportunity to spread knowledge about how we can best support those inflicting self-harm through education, empathy, understanding, and compassion —and ultimately provide resources such as Embrace Health’s online therapy services for individuals looking for additional assistance along the way! By acting together now, we can work towards ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues like self-injury, once and for all.
About Embrace Health
Embrace Health is an online, virtual clinic that provides a wide spectrum of psychiatry services to Iowa residents of all ages. Our telehealth services include therapy, counseling, medication management, psychiatry appointments, and more. All you need is reliable wi-fi and a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Our licensed psychiatric providers include board-certified psychiatrists, licensed counselors, clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurse practitioners.
Embrace Health also provides specialized group therapy, including:
- Aging & Emotional Health: Designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older who experience depression or anxiety related to life changes.
- Coping with Anxiety & Depression: For those living with depression and anxiety, this group allows them to share experiences, learn coping strategies, and develop healthy habits.
- Coping with Trauma: Together, survivors break down barriers, discover new ways to cope with past trauma, and move forward from isolation.
- Mind Over Matters: Designed for women to come together and discuss daily challenges while finding strategies to confront them.
- New Mom Support: New mothers will cover a variety of topics including post-partum depression, anxiety, and adjusting to motherhood in a judgment-free, supportive environment. You may attend with your baby.
Want to get in touch? Email us at [email protected], call us at (515) 612-9583, or send us a message by visiting our Contact Us page. You can also schedule an online appointment with one of our dedicated and compassionate healthcare professionals.
References:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (2022, July 15). Mental health by the numbers. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.nami.org/mhstats
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2023, January 3). Self-injury in adolescents. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Self-Injury-In-Adolescents-073.aspx
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022, March 10). Self-Harm. MentalHealth.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2023, from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/self-harm
