Self-injury is a grave problem, and many people have experienced. Many people injure themselves and suffer in silence. 1st of March, every year is observed as Self-injury Awareness Day (SIAD) (also known as Self-Harm Awareness Day.) The annual global awareness event/campaign is observed to some people choose to be more open about their own self-harm, and awareness organisations make extraordinary efforts to raise awareness about self-harm and self-injury. Self-harm sometimes goes unnoticed people who indulge in it suffer without any help. Spreading awareness regarding self-harm is the goal of this day. As a medical term Self-harm is intentionally causing damage to one's body tissue in different ways. The intention could be non-suicidal and can include cutting or scratching parts of their own body or burning one's skin or bang limbs or hands, on hard surfaces sometimes even breaking one's bones. Attention Parents! Be More Alert if Your Child is Behaving Differently.

Significance of Self-injury Awareness Day

Mental health has an important role to play in terms of people harming themselves. Depression, especially go hand-in-hand with self-injury; however, the reason behind self-harm can be other mental health issues as well. Over two million people engage in self-harm and usually go for methods like cutting, scratching, bruising, breaking bones and hitting, among various others. It is said that the reason behind people injuring themselves is seen as a way of expression. The day doesn't only aim at spreading awareness about the self-injury and self-harm but also the typical stereotypes and myths that surround the medical condition. Increased awareness about the condition helps enhance the feeling of empathy and understanding of self-harm. It also encourages people to go ahead and help people help others suffering from the menace of self-injury and lending support to them.

If you know or are someone indulging in self-injury, go ahead and communicate. Communication and taking psychological support can bring a big difference.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 28, 2019 05:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).