March Focus: Self-Harm Awareness, Understanding, and Support
Content Warning: This post discusses self-harm in an educational, non-graphic way. Please engage with this content at your own pace. If reading brings up distress, consider taking a break and reaching out for support.
March is recognized as Self-Harm Awareness Month, a time to bring light to conversations that are often hidden by shame, misunderstanding, or silence.
At Unlaced, we believe awareness is not about fear or graphic details. It’s about education and understanding. It’s about reminding people that coping behaviors develop for a reason and that support and healing are possible.
What Is Self-Harm?
Self-harm, also referred to as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), is the intentional act of causing harm to one’s body as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions.
It is important to understand:
Self-harm is not attention-seeking
It is often a way to regulate intense emotional pain
It can exist with or without suicidal intent
For many individuals, self-harm becomes a coping strategy when emotions feel unmanageable and other tools feel unavailable.
Why People Self-Harm
There is no single reason someone may engage in self-harm. Common underlying factors can include:
Difficulty expressing emotions
Trauma or chronic stress
Feelings of numbness or disconnection
Anxiety, depression, or shame
A desire to feel control when things feel overwhelming
Understanding the why helps shift the conversation from judgment to empathy.
Self-Harm and Mental Wellness
Self-harm does not mean someone is broken or beyond help.
The path to mental wellness involves learning safer, more sustainable ways to cope with distress. With education, support, and time, individuals can build new skills that meet the same emotional needs without causing harm.
Healing is not linear. Slips do not erase progress.
Warning Signs to Be Aware Of
While everyone’s experience is different, some possible warning signs include:
Wearing long sleeves regardless of weather
Frequent unexplained injuries
Withdrawal from others
Increased secrecy or isolation
Expressions of shame, hopelessness, or self-criticism
Awareness is not about monitoring, it’s about noticing and responding with care.
How to Support Someone Who May Be Struggling
If you’re concerned about someone:
Lead with curiosity, not assumptions
Listen more than you speak
Avoid ultimatums or shaming language
Encourage professional support when possible
You don’t need the perfect words. Presence matters more than solutions.
If You Are Struggling
If self-harm feels like a way you normally cope, you are not weak and you are not alone.
Support can include:
Talking with a therapist or counselor
Reaching out to a trusted person
Learning alternative coping strategies that provide relief without harm
You deserve support that helps you stay safe.
If you are in immediate danger or feel unable to keep yourself safe, please reach out to local emergency services or a crisis support line.
In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. They are available 24/7 and free of charge.
Journal Prompts for March
These prompts are optional and meant to be gentle. Skip any question that doesn’t feel safe for you today.
What emotions feel hardest for me to sit with, and how do they usually show up in my body?
When I feel overwhelmed, what do I need most in that moment: distraction, connection, rest, or expression?
What coping strategies have helped me feel even slightly safer in the past?
Who feels emotionally safe for me to reach out to when things feel heavy? What makes them feel safe?
What is one small, protective step I can take this week to care for myself more gently?
Note: If journaling brings up urges to self-harm or thoughts of hurting yourself, stop and seek support. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you’re outside the U.S., local emergency services or crisis lines can help.
When Life Feels Overwhelming
Some pain is invisible.
Some struggles are carried quietly.
Unlaced exists to remind you that even when things feel undone, you are worthy of care, patience, and support.
Healing does not require perfection.
Just honesty.
Just one step at a time.
Carrying Awareness Forward
Self-harm awareness is not limited to March.
Let this month be an invitation to learn, to listen, and to lead with compassion toward others and toward yourself.
If you’re struggling, help is available.
If you’re supporting someone, your care matters.
— Unlaced
Created to spark conversations, inspire peace, and remind you that even when life comes undone, you can always lace back up.