SELF INJURY AWARENESS DAY - MARCH 1

             SELF INJURY AWARENESS DAY 

HAVE YOU COME ACROSS ANYONE WHO HAS UNEXPLAINED CUTS/ BURNS/ BRUISES ?

OR SOMEONE WHO IS PERSISTENTLY UNABLE TO HANDLE EMOTIONS?

 NON SUICIDAL SELF INJURY (NSSI) IS A COMPARATIVELY

NEW WORD ADDED IN THE VOCABULARY OF MENTAL

HEALTH ISSUES. IT IS A VERY MUCH UNDERRATED AND

IGNORED SIGN OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. 

Self-injury occurs in many forms- cutting, scratching, punching and ingestion of chemicals; and occurs for many reasons- coping with fear, stress, anxiety, or inducing positive feelings. People who self-injure may try to hide their injuries. Their clothing may not fit the season. They would be seen wearing loose long clothes to hide the marks. Another commonly seen behaviour is getting excessive tattoos to conceal the scar marks. Age is no bar in NSSI. it is seen in as young as 6 years old to as old as even 70 years old. 

De-busting some myths about NSSI :

1. It’s not an accident : Self-harm is intentional, purposeful behavior.

2. It’s not always about getting attention: People who hurt themselves frequently consider it a private thing and try to hide their behaviors.

3. Anyone can do it: Contrary to popular belief that only ‘emos’ self-harm, anyone close to you could be self-harming, no matter their age, gender, race, or lifestyle choices.

4. It’s more mental than physical: Self-harming is only a physical manifestation of mental stress and people frequently self-harm to release stress, gain some control, or feel alive.

5. It’s not necessarily about suicide: Even though some people who self-harm feel suicidal, many see self-harm as a way to feel alive.

   
   

   
   

   WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL AN URGE TO SELF HARM ? 

   
   

   

Understand that no one has to suffer alone, and there is help.

Dr Jasleen Bhalla

Consultant Psychiatrist