Yes, March is Self-Harm Awareness Month. The observance runs throughout the entire month, with Self-Injury Awareness Day (SIAD) falling on March 1st as a global event that has been recognized for more than 18 years. The month is dedicated to reducing stigma, educating the public about warning signs, and connecting people who self-injure with support.
What the Month Is About
Self-Harm Awareness Month focuses on three goals: raising public understanding of self-injury, correcting misconceptions about why people do it, and making it easier for those affected to seek help. Self-injury is not a suicide attempt in most cases, though it does increase risk over time. It is a way some people cope with overwhelming emotional pain, numbness, or distress. The awareness month exists because shame and misunderstanding often prevent people from talking about it or reaching out.
The orange ribbon is the symbol of the movement. It represents hope and the push to correct widespread myths about self-harm. Another well-known symbol is the butterfly drawing: people draw a butterfly on the part of their body where they feel the urge to self-harm and name it after someone they love. This practice comes from the Butterfly Project, a grassroots movement designed to support people on their path toward healing.
How Common Self-Harm Is
Self-harm is far more prevalent than most people realize. An estimated 14 million incidents of self-harm occur worldwide each year, roughly 60 out of every 100,000 people. Lifetime prevalence sits at about 3% in adults and 14% in children and adolescents, meaning roughly one in seven young people will self-injure at some point.
Among adolescents aged 10 to 24, rates are highest in high-income North America, southern Latin America, and Australasia. Prevalence increases with age through adolescence: among 15- to 19-year-olds, some regions see rates above 40%. Female adolescents are significantly more likely to self-harm than males across every age group, though male adolescents who do self-harm have higher mortality rates. This pattern mirrors what’s seen in suicide statistics, where girls attempt more often but boys die at higher rates.
Warning Signs to Recognize
Self-injury is usually hidden. People who self-harm often go to considerable lengths to conceal it, which means the signs can be subtle. Physical indicators include unexplained cuts, scratches, bruises, bite marks, or burns, frequently appearing in patterns. Scars in clusters on the arms, thighs, or torso are common. Someone may keep sharp objects on hand without an obvious reason.
Behavioral signs are equally important. Wearing long sleeves or pants even in hot weather is one of the most recognized signals. Frequent reports of “accidental” injuries, sudden withdrawal from relationships, and rapid shifts in mood or behavior can all point to self-injury. Expressions of hopelessness, worthlessness, or feeling trapped are emotional signals that often accompany the behavior.
None of these signs on their own confirm self-harm, but a pattern of several together is worth paying attention to, especially in adolescents and young adults.
How to Talk About It Safely
One reason the awareness month exists is that talking about self-harm the wrong way can do real damage. Detailed descriptions of methods, graphic imagery, or framing self-injury as dramatic or mysterious can unintentionally normalize it or trigger urges in someone who is vulnerable. The same safe messaging principles that apply to reporting on suicide apply here: focus on hope, recovery, and available support rather than on the behavior itself.
If you suspect someone you know is self-injuring, a direct but calm conversation is more helpful than ignoring it or reacting with alarm. Expressing concern without judgment, asking open questions, and listening without trying to immediately fix the problem gives the person space to be honest. Avoid ultimatums or promises of secrecy, especially with minors.
Support Resources
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. It provides free, confidential support for people in emotional distress, not only those experiencing suicidal thoughts. You can also access crisis chat services at 988lifeline.org. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. Services are available in Spanish and for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers.
These resources are available year-round, not just in March. The awareness month is a starting point, but the need for support, understanding, and reduced stigma around self-injury doesn’t follow a calendar.