Self-Injury Awareness Day: What is self-injury and how to support

Mar 1, 2026

If you are concerned about injuring yourself, or about someone else who is, here are some things you will want to know.

What is Self-Injury?

Self-injury (or self-harm) is the act of deliberately hurting yourself, without intending to end your life. Common forms include cutting, scratching, burning, hitting oneself, or interfering with healing wounds.

Self-injury is sometimes called “non-suicidal self-injury” (NSSI) because it’s not an attempt to die by suicide. Often, self-harm develops as a way of coping with emotional pain, intense feelings, or distress.

Although self-injury itself isn’t a mental illness, it may be associated with underlying mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or difficulties managing emotions.

Why Do People Self-Injure?

There’s no single reason why people injure themselves but it often relates to emotional regulation and coping. Some people self-injure:

To cope with intense or overwhelming emotions such as anxiety, sadness, or anger.
To release built-up emotional tension or stress, turning emotional pain into physical pain that feels more manageable.
To feel something when emotionally numb or disconnected.
To gain a sense of control when life feels chaotic.
To punish themselves or express deep feelings of guilt or self-criticism.
To seek temporary relief or distraction from painful thoughts or memories.

Signs Someone May Be Struggling

Many people who self injure may hide their behaviour because of shame, fear, or stigma. Still, you may see signs that someone is struggling:

Unexplained frequent injuries such as cutes, burns, or bruises.
Unusual or repeated scarring, especially in clusters.
Wearing long-sleeved clothing in warm weather to conceal injuries.
Avoiding situations when parts of the body are showing (e.g., swimming).
Emotional distress, changes in mood, withdrawal from social activities, or increased anxiety.
Difficulties regulating emotions, low self-esteem, or relationship struggles.

How You Can Support Someone Who Is Struggling

If you think your friend or loved one is self harming:

Listen without judgement: Create space for them to talk if they want to. Let them know you are there to understand, not to judge.
Express care and concern: Use gentle, non-confrontational language such as “I’ve noticed you seem to be in distress. I care about you and want to help”. Avoid blaming or shaming language.
Encourage professional support: Suggest connecting with a trusted mental health professional, family doctor, or counsellor. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) can help people develop other coping skills.
Help them build other coping strategies: Encourage alternatives to self injury for dealing with distress like journaling, physical activity, mindfulness, or creative expression.

March 1 is Self-Injury Awareness Day – a day to increase understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage support for individuals who engage in self-harm.

Visit our Programs & Services page to see how CMHA Grey Bruce can support you. For additional help, visit www.mentalhealthgreybruce.ca for a list of 24/7 local and national resources.

If you are in crisis

9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgement. Call or text 9-8-8 toll-free, anytime (24/7) for support in English or French. For more information, visit www.988.ca.

Children and youth can contact Kids Help Phone for free, 24/7, for anonymous and confidential professional phone counselling and online counselling. Visit www.kidshelpphone.ca to learn more or TEXT 686868 or CALL 1-800-668-6868 for immediate support.