03/09/2026
March is self-injury awareness month. Did you know that almost 20% of adolescents report engaging in self-harm? They often avoid discussing self-injury with their caregivers for fear of disappointing, scaring, or angering them.
If you are concerned that someone you love is engaging in self-harm, you can say to them, “Sometimes when people feel overwhelmed or are experiencing a lot of stress or sadness, they engage in self-harm. Is this something you’ve ever done?” If hey tell you they have self-harmed, do your best to respond supportively and non-judgmentally (e.g., “Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m so sorry to know you’ve been struggling, and I would love to help connect you with someone who can provide support.”).
You can reach out to 988 for support related to self-injury or any other mental health concerns anytime day or night! This resource can also help point you in the direction of ongoing care.