March Is Self-Harm Awareness Month

The Month of March is Self-Harm Awareness Month and to address such extreme measures in youth, the SRD Straightening Reins Foundation has created extensive learning tools allowing children to find healthy alternatives when their sense of loss, depression, anxiety or other challenges become overwhelming. A report from the ABC News: Mental Health in America 2021 Mental Health in America Report stated that during COVID-19, 8 out of 10 people showed moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, there was an 8000% increase in calls to help and suicide hotlines in Los Angeles, a 62% increase in depression screenings in 2020 vs 2019 and a 93% increase in anxiety screenings in 2020 vs 2019.
As we know, children do not understand or express their stresses as outwardly or proficiently as adults do, so they may not reach out for support. Self-harm can occur in various forms such as cut-ting, scratching, carving, branding or marking the body, picking at scabs to that they don’t heal, pulling hair, burning or grazing oneself, and biting, bruising or hitting oneself. These may be hid-den by the child or excuses may occur due to embarrassment in admitting the true cause of the injury or injuries.
Signs that your child is involved in self-harm behavior can be, changes in sleeping or eating habits or loss of interest in activities or contact with friends. Your child may avoid activities such as swimming where body parts are visible or they may hide objects such as razor blades, stencil knives, lighters and matches. This is a traumatic time for the family as well since a feeling of helplessness may occur when discovering your child has been using self-harm as a method for masking their feelings. It’s important to contact a professional to begin receiving the needed support. Please contact SRD Straightening Reins either at (661) 803-1641 or via website: https://srdstraighteningreins.org. Other resources can be accessed through the website: https://bethedifferencescv.org Remember this is a unique time for everyone and there are professionals available to render support for both your child and your family.