WHAT EXACTLY IS SELF-HARM?

Sometimes people hurt themselves on purpose to deal with really tough emotions. This behavior is known as self-harm and often includes actions like cutting, burning, or hitting oneself.

Most people who self-harm don’t do this because they want to. Instead, they're trying to cope with feelings they find hard to handle in any other way. But unfortunately, self-harm is a temporary solution that doesn't help them overcome the underlying emotional pain. As a result, it leads to a cycle of struggling that's hard to break without help.

March is a month for self-harm awareness. This month, our focus is on promoting understanding and providing resources for those in need.

RISK FACTORS AND WARNING SIGNS OF SELF-HARM

More often than not, self-harm goes unnoticed. The reason is that individuals who hurt themselves usually do it in private and won’t seek help. That’s why it’s important to recognize risk factors and signs of self-harm.

Risk factors

Emotional issues - Challenges in managing emotions like sadness, anger, or guilt can lead to self-harm as a coping mechanism.
Mental health conditions - Disorders such as depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder are closely linked to self-harming behaviors.
Traumatic experiences - A history of trauma, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, significantly increases the risk.
Peer influence - Associations with peers who self-harm can also be a contributing factor.
Substance use - Alcohol and drug use often escalate the risk by impairing judgment and increasing impulsivity.

Warning signs

Wearing long sleeves or pants to hide injuries, regardless of the weather
Unexplained injuries like cuts, burns, or bruises
Frequent reports of accidental self-injury
Changes in behavior, including withdrawal from friends and activities
Collection of sharp objects or materials used for self-harm
Emotional instability or impulsiveness

FACT

Self-harm is not a mental disorder, but it’s associated with mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, or PTSD.

Why do people self-harm

People self-harm for a variety of different reasons, often as a way to cope with difficult feelings or situations that they find overwhelming.

At its core, individuals use self-harm as a method to express emotions that are hard to put into words. Physical pain is their way of switching attention to emotional pain. They perceive it as a tangible form of regaining a sense of control when everything else seems chaotic.

For example, someone might feel so numb emotionally that causing physical pain becomes a way to feel something real. For others, self-harm can be a way to feel present at the moment, especially if they feel disconnected or numb.

Simply put, they create visible scars that represent the emotional scars they carry inside.

In some cases, self-harm is also a form of self-punishment, accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, or low self-esteem. Individuals might believe they deserve to be hurt as a consequence of perceived faults or failures.

Self-harm statistics

17% of the general population engages in self-harm at some point in their lives.

Despite the high prevalence, only about half of those who self-harm seek help, and when they do, it's more likely to be from friends than professionals.

Up to 30% of teenage girls and 10% of boys report having intentionally hurt themselves.

The most prevalent form of self-harm is cutting (45%) which has been increasing annually by 18.8% among girls aged 10-14 since 2009.

How to support someone who self-harms

If you or your loved one is struggling with self-harm, you should know that it’s crucial to get help as soon as possible. Taking the first step might not be easy. But the following actions will help you heal or support other people:

Reach out for professional support - Contacting a mental health professional is a critical step. They will create a safe and empathetic space for you to start working towards healing.
Communicate openly - If you're supporting someone, encourage them to express their feelings and thoughts. Listen without judgment to help them feel safe and understood.
Educate yourself - Understanding self-harm — the triggers, reasons behind it, and its effects — can significantly improve how you offer support.
Practice self-care - Both individuals struggling with self-harm and their supporters should practice self-care. This means taking time for activities that promote well-being and relaxation.
Seek emergency help if needed - If there's an immediate risk of harm, don't hesitate to seek emergency medical assistance. Ensuring physical safety is a priority.

Announcements

This monthly Recovery Newsletter is now a part of our new endeavor to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Program (CCBHC), funded by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Topics will range from addressing managing mental health as well as substance abuse. To learn more about Siyan becoming a CCBHC, please visit: https://siyanresearch.org/CCBHC/

NEW September 2023 - Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Siyan Care

If you or a loved one are seeking support on the path to recovery, we are here to help. There are times when individuals are faced with crises or an increase in psychiatric symptoms and hospitalization is not necessary or no longer required, but outpatient services such as weekly or biweekly therapy appointments are not sufficient to meet the individual’s needs.

In these situations, Siyan Care offers IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) levels of care. IOP is appropriate as a step up when other therapy and psychiatric support services are not sufficient in managing symptoms or providing needed structure and support. IOP meets 3 days per week for 3 hours per day of group therapy, with 1:1 counseling sessions and monthly psychiatry appointments for medication management. To learn more about Siyan Care, please visit: https://siyanclinical.com/intensive-outpatient-program-iop/

If you or someone you love would like to schedule an evaluation to see whether you are a fit for the CCBHC program, please contact us at 707-206-7268 or email psychresearch@siyanclinical.com to enroll. We are accepting new patients and accept most insurances including Medi-Cal and Medicare for our CCBHC program.

Every conversation is confidential and we offer telehealth. One day at a time.

Sincerely,

The CCBHC Team

Disclaimer: This product was supported [in part] by grant number H79SM086652 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or polices of SAMHSA or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

SIYAN CLINICAL RESEARCH | [CCBHC]