March 1 is Self-harm Awareness Day. It’s about ending the stigma around self-harm , talking about supports and other ways of coping.
Sometimes people having a hard time might try to cope by harming themselves. Self-harm is not a suicide attempt, but actually a way to cope with really painful feelings. People may use self-harm to:
- Relieve tension
- Release adrenaline, which is a chemical that temporarily lowers pain
- Replace emotional pain with physical pain
- Give them a sense of control over their life, even though they might feel like the behavior is controlling them.
There are risks with self-harm so it’s important to explore healthier ways coping and to look at what supports can help you. Check-out our section on Mental Health and coping to learn more.
It’s also important to talk to someone you trust if you or someone you know is using self-harm. This could include a parent, school counsellor, teacher your trust, Teen Clinic or phone line like the Klinic Crisis Line at 1-888-322-3019 or (204) 786-8686. The line is open 24/7 and provides counselling, support and information for people in crisis or distress.
Want to show your support? Wear an orange ribbon March 1. You can also draw butterflies or the word Love on your arm.
