May is Mental Health Awareness Month What is Self-Harm and How Can You Prevent it? Trigger Warning: Thig blog post contains references to themes of self harm and suicide which some individuals may find distressing.

UMBC is dedicated to providing students with mental health knowledge, support, and resources. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to raise awareness of important and serious topics that can impact members of our community.

A recent study found that almost 17% of people will engage in self-harm in their lifetime. It is important to know what self-harm is in order to help those who might struggle with it. Keep reading to learn more about self-harm and prevention strategies that you can use to help yourself or those around you.

What Counts as Self-Harm?
Self-injurious behavior, more commonly referred to as self-harm or self-injury, is defined as the act of intentionally hurting oneself. Self harm is not suicide because the intent is different. Oftentimes, when people self-harm, they have no intention of ending their life.

Why Do People Self-Harm? 
There is no singular reason to explain why people engage in self-harm. Some people may engage in self-harm as a form of distraction from a negative emotion or experience. Others may use self-harm as a way to express their emotions or to replace the feeling of numbness. Additionally, people may engage in self-harm as a form of punishment or as a way to feel a sense of control over their lives. Risk factors for self harm include trauma, bullying, poor family and peer relationships, and a history of mental illness. 

How to Prevent Self-Harm
  • Find positive coping mechanisms to incorporate into your daily life
  • Connect with a therapist to heal from long term issues and trauma
  • Surround yourself with people that care about you and spend time connecting positively with them
  • Avoid or remove triggers. A trained counselor can help you figure out your triggers
How to Get Help in the Moment
If you feel the urge to self-harm, consider one of these activities instead:
  • Talk to a close friend, family member, or a trained counselor via 988. 
  • Express your emotions through art or distract yourself through music. 
  • If you are feeling overwhelmed, try a grounding technique. For example, a breathing exercise, or try to find an object in your environment for every color of the rainbow.
Interested in helping a friend? Check out this article from the JED Foundation

Resources
  • If you or a friend are experiencing an urge to engage in self-harm, you can call or text 988 to speak with a trained counselor. 
  • Consider scheduling a counseling appointment by visiting the Center for Well-Being, or call Retriever Integrated Health at 410-455-2542.
  • Check out these free mental health resources available to you.
  • Read more from the JED Foundation
Written by peer health educators Emma Snyder and Emma Golus

Interested in becoming a Peer Health Educator? Applications are open. Learn more by visiting, https://healthpromotion.umbc.edu/peer-health-educators/

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