March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, with March 1 recognized as Self-Injury Awareness Day.

The global observance aims to remove the stigma surrounding self-injury and encourage parents, educators and healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of self-harm.

Self-injury, commonly referred to as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), includes behaviors such as cutting, burning or scratching oneself. While alarming for loved ones, experts note that self-harm is often a coping mechanism rather than a suicide attempt. However, the distinction between self-injury and suicidal ideation can be difficult to discern.

According to "Healing Self-Injury: A Compassionate Guide for Parents and Other Loved Ones" by Janis Whitlock and Elizabeth E. Lloyd-Richardson, 65% of young people who engage in self-injury will experience suicidal thoughts at some point. Though NSSI does not cause suicide, experts warn that repeated self-injury may lower inhibitions toward suicidal ideation, especially when compounded by factors such as family conflict, emotional or sexual trauma, substance abuse or mental health disorders like major depressive disorder and PTSD.

Warning signs of self-harm can include fresh cuts, bruises or scars — often in patterns — excessive rubbing of the skin to create burns, wearing long sleeves or pants in warm weather to conceal injuries, frequent reports of accidental injury and expressions of helplessness or hopelessness.

Organizations such as The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI), a national leader in youth suicide prevention, offer resources to help families and professionals address self-harm. JFI provides a free, one-hour training module titled Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, which explores the relationship between self-injury and suicidal ideation, outlines common risk factors and offers guidance on how to support those who may be struggling. The training, along with other educational programs, is available to stream at www.jasonfoundation.com.