Each year around the world, 1st March is Self Harm Awareness Day (sometimes also known as Self Injury Awareness Day). At Harmless and The Tomorrow Project, it is an opportunity for us to lead individuals and organisations from across the country to speak with one voice in raising awareness around what is often a very misunderstood topic.
Self harm is anything that someone does intentionally to cause physical harm or injury to themselves. Behaviours can range from cutting to burning, hair pulling, self hitting, scratching, overdosing, or swallowing something dangerous (this is not an exhaustive list).
Self harm is a coping mechanism that people use to help manage their emotions in times of distress. Typical causes of emotional distress include bullying, work or school pressures, family arguments, relationship problems, money worries, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety or depression, confusion over sexual or gender identity, grief after bereavement or loss, experiences of abuse, being in contact with the criminal justice system, eating disorders, or substance misuse problems. There is no single reason why people self harm.
It is difficult to know the true scale of self harm because it is often a behaviour that is hidden. From what we know, self harm is most common in young people (particularly young women), but it can and does impact people from all walks of life. It can affect people of any age, gender, or ethnicity.
Self harm is not attention seeking, attempted suicide, a ‘cry for help’, just a fad or trend, or done because people enjoy the pain. It is a behaviour that people use as a way of managing emotional distress in the absence of having another effective coping strategy that works for them.
Recovery from self harm is always possible. The first step is usually to speak to someone who can provide support, such as a friend or a relative. Alternatively, a GP or another professional might refer a client to a counsellor, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist or mental health team. Organisations like Harmless can also help.
That’s why on 1st March, Harmless and The Tomorrow Project will be working to raise awareness and break stigma.
You can find out more about Self Harm Awareness Day here:
https://harmless.org.uk/self-harm-awareness-day-2025/