Self-harm awareness month is dedicated to reducing stigma and bringing attention to those who use self injury as a coping mechanism. Self-harm is commonly done as a symptom of severe emotional distress or as a cry for help. It is very important to treat this as a serious thing and not dismiss it as attention seeking or just a phase.

According to Frontiers.org, 25% of teenagers have self-harmed before or are currently. These rates have severely increased in the past decade, the rates of cutting having increased by 18.8% each year.

When self-harm is mentioned, people will most likely think of cutting or burning. But, there are several more methods that aren’t typically acknowledged. 

Common types of self-harm include:

• Cutting
• Scratching
• Burning (usually with cigarettes or heated objects)
• Inserting objects under the skin
• Carving symbols
• Hitting or bruising
• Piercing the skin

As you can imagine, self-harm can be a very dangerous thing and cause multiple potential side effects, the most possible one being sepsis. Sepsis is caused by a dangerous immune response to blood infections, some side effects including organ failure and even death. If you believe your cut is infected, you should look out for symptoms like high fevers, chills, and rapid heartbeating. If sepsis is not treated quickly enough, it can be lethal. 

If you or a friend are currently struggling with self-harm, please be sure to consider the possible side effects and keep the area sanitized and covered. To disinfect a wound, first wash your hands and gently apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Then, clean around the wound with a mild soap, making sure to not get any soap in the actual cut. Finally, apply an antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly and cover the area with a sterile bandage. Harm reduction is important.

For many, self-harm is done seeking some relief or control in their life. It’s used as an unhealthy coping mechanism to deal with feelings of loneliness, numbness, or hopelessness. Most people dealing with it are usually ashamed or embarrassed to reach out for help and talk about it to their loved ones. It’s important if you know someone who’s struggling with it to not judge them and remind them that they’re loved and understood.

Some common warning signs of self-harm are as follows:

• Wearing longs sleeves or pants, even in warm weather
• Scars, burns, or bruises in areas they typically wouldn’t be found
• Claims of injuries being on “accident”
• Known mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, eating disorders)
• Emotional or behavioral instability
• Struggles in relationships

Many people think of self-harm as adjacent to suicidality but, self-harm is actually considered a non-suicidal behavior. There are factors that make it different for everyone, but usually its done as a way to manage emotions, not as a suicide attempt. While self-harm and suicidal behavior do have varying characteristics and different intentions, the two can overlap a lot of times. Suicidal or not, self-harm is an important issue amongst adolescents and teenagers and is not meant to be taken lightly.

If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, please talk to a loved one or a licensed professional. Take care of yourself and your friends.

If you would like to know more or get help, here are some resources:

• 988 Lifeline – Suicide or distress helpline
• FindTreatment.gov – Therapists or counselors in your area

Depression – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – General information