self-injury awareness day

Today, March 1st, is Self-Injury Awareness Day, known by some as National Self-Injury Awareness Day. Though it is not officially recognized by the U.S., except in a couple states, it is known by many and globally recognized as a day to raise awareness, dispel myths, and encourage sensitivity to the issue and to the individuals who struggle.

What can you do in recognition of this day?

  • Examine your own thoughts and questions about self-injury and become even better informed.
  • Determine if you have misconceptions that are preventing you from reaching out and more effectively helping someone who is struggling.
  • Commit to discovering the resources and services within your own community that can be of help to someone who self-injures.
  • Become well-acquainted with resources and ideas that you can use to help. Take a look at the page that includes links for self-injury resources and information.
  • Most importantly, pray. Pray for greater and clearer national and global awareness of this important issue. Pray for those who are struggling with self-injury in your community. Pray and ask God to show you how you can help.
  • Specific ways to help? Check out the other posts included below that share ideas on helping.

    As you begin to reach out, be realistic in your expectations. Keep in mind that someone who self-injures won’t stop their self-harming behavior just because they now have someone to talk to. The needed healing of what’s behind their compulsion to self-harm will take time. Learning new ways to cope will also take time. But know that even a few encouraging words from you may be a part of moving their story forward toward their healing.

    Be willing. Be patient.

    About Jan Kern

    Author, speaker, life & creativity coach who writes a reflective blog about living courageously at www.jankern.com
    This entry was posted in self-injury, teens, young adults, youth ministry and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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