The first day of March is also self-injury awareness day. People who engage in self-injurious behavior are experiencing emotional distress. The American Psychological Association reports that 15% of college students, 17% of teens self-harm while 5% of adults may do so over their lifetime.
Most often people who engage in self injury whether that is cutting themselves, burning themselves, or some other form of hurt, do so to express extreme emotional discomfort. Practicing healthy ways of easing emotional pain can decrease or eliminate self-injury. The professionals at Appleseed teach many powerful coping skills that can help someone move way from self-harm.
-Jerry Strausbaugh, EdD, LPCCS, Executive Director
