Self-Harm Awareness Day – 1st March 2022

What is Self-Harm Awareness Day?

Self-harm awareness day is an annual awareness day which takes place on March 1st, 2022.  The purpose of this day is to inform the public about self-harm / self-injury to help break stigma and normalise people sharing their experience and seeking help.

Here at Harmless we will be launching our annual From Harm To Hope: National Self Harm and Suicide Prevention Online conference.  The theme for the conference is: Building Resilience for the Future and tickets are currently available.

What is Self-Harm?

Self-harm is when you injure yourself to cope with distressing feelings and or overwhelming situations.  Myths and misinformation create a huge barrier to people being able to get help, so it is important on self-harm awareness day to increase the public’s knowledge and normalise the conversation around it.  

Myths Relating to Self-Harm

Myth: They’re doing it for attention

Fact: For someone who self-harms, it is a private and personal problem.  Often someone who self-harms will go to great lengths to keep it hidden.  Negative attitudes suggesting that someone is doing it for attention will simply shut down communication and make that person feel isolated.

Myth: Self-harm will lead to suicide

Fact: There is a complex relationship between self-harm and suicide. We know that those who self-harm are at higher risk of suicide, but we need to remember that with the right help and support, things can and will get better. There is not an inevitable journey to suicide, and we must give people hope that we will be there to listen and find appropriate support. It is important to remember that those who self-harm are trying to cope, and survive. We need to build someone’s resilience and offer them hope that with the right help, things in time can get better.

What can we do to support someone who self-harms?

  • Listen without judgement
  • Offer someone time and space to talk, don’t interrupt
  • Remind them that they don’t have to go through this alone, and with the right help and support things can get better
  • Help someone find appropriate services to contact

More information and support

Services that offer help and information: Harmless, Papyrus, Samaritans, Mind, NHS

Harmless Training for self-harm:

Self-Harm level 2 half day

  • Thursday 14th July 2022 (9:30 – 13:30) – book here
  • Tuesday 18th October 2022 (12:30-16:30) – book here

Keep an eye out for more training via our Eventbrite page.