Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

194 Shares
194 Shares
FriMar 1

Self-Injury Awareness Day – March 1, 2024

Self-Injury Awareness Day, or SIAD, is a global awareness event celebrated on March 1. It draws attention to self-harm in the hope of helping people who practice it. Almost two million Americans engage in self-harm. About 17% of people will self-harm during their lifetime. People who self-harm say that it gives them a feeling of control and release from tension. On Self-Injury Awareness Day, people can share their self-harm stories, which can help them find a community of people who understand and can help them overcome it. Mental health organizations also make extra efforts to raise awareness about self-harm and self-injury, with some even offering free therapy sessions on the day.

History of Self-Injury Awareness Day

The origin and history of Self-injury Awareness Day are unknown. People wear an orange ribbon, a butterfly on their wrists, or a beaded bracelet to encourage awareness of self-harm. The orange ribbon represents hope for a misread problem. The idea is to eradicate the common clichés surrounding self-harm and to educate medical professionals about it.

Self-harm begins with an express purpose to harm oneself. Self-injury includes skin carving, self-medicating, and abnormal scratching. Burning oneself, and punching or hitting walls to create pain are also methods. Other examples are drinking poisonous chemicals, radical skin picking, pulling hair, and purposely interfering with wound healing. Warning signs include isolation; avoiding social interactions, and baggy clothing to hide wounds. Further signs are finding sharp instruments such as razors in strange places, constant excuses for cuts on arms, stomach, and legs, and locking themselves into the bathroom or bedroom for long periods of time.

Teens are by far the highest statistic for self-harm injury, as studies show that about 15% of teens and 17-35% of students have practiced self-harm. People who engage in self-harm activities often are three-and-a-half times more likely to try suicide. Depression and self-harm mostly go hand-in-hand. It must however be stated that there are many other reasons people self-harm. The vicious cycle recurs because, after the self-injurious act, the individual will be inclined to feel shame or guilt. This results in significant anguish, leading them to self-injure once again. It is a spiral of shame and guilt, followed by relief and emotional release. Self-Injury Awareness Day aims to get rid of this guilt and break the cycle.

Self-Injury Awareness Day timeline

Late 19th Century
Needle Girls Emerge

Two American doctors, George Gould and Walter Pyle, notice that women around Europe are puncturing themselves with sewing needles in self-torture

1913
‘Self-Mutilation’ Is Used For The First Time

The term is used by L.E. Emerson, who considers self-cutting as symbolic.

1959
The Mental Health Act is Passed

The Mental Health Act of 1959 removes all legal barriers to the treatment of mental illness in general hospitals in Britain.

1979
Nine Types Of Self-Mutilators Are Identified

Ross R.R. and McKay H.B. categorize people who self-harm into nine clear groups based on the form of self-harm they participate in.

Self-Injury Awareness Day FAQs

When is Self-injury Awareness Day in the U.K.?

Self-Injury Awareness Day has been running in the U.K. on March 1 for 20 years or more. 

Why is raising awareness about self-injury important?

Awareness leads to understanding and empathy. It banishes judgment and fear and reduces the number of people who suffer in silence. Raising awareness is about educating people who do not self-injure, and reaching out to people who do.

Which is the most common area of self-injury?

Self-injury can occur on any part of the body, though the arms, wrists, thighs, and stomach are the most common areas where people inflict self-harm.

How to Observe Self-Injury Awareness Day

  1. Check up on a friend

    Sometimes, people can feel alone even when they are surrounded by friends. Use Self-Injury Awareness Day to check up on a friend who might be struggling. Remind them that you are there for them and act as a support system for them.

  2. Wear an orange ribbon

    The orange ribbon is the official ribbon for Self-Injury Awareness Day. You can add an orange ribbon to your outfit to show your support for the cause and signify that you are a safe person for them to talk to.

  3. Speak to a professional

    Even though people who self-harm often need friends and support systems that they can rely on, nothing beats help from a certified professional. If you or someone you know frequently engages in cutting or other self-harm practices, feel free to sign up to talk to a mental health professional who can help you gain control without harming yourself.

5 Things You Need To Know About Self-Harm

  1. It’s not an accident

    Self-harm is intentional, purposeful behavior.

  2. It’s not about getting attention

    People who hurt themselves frequently consider it a private thing and try to hide their behaviors.

  3. Anyone can do it

    Contrary to popular belief that only ‘emos’ self-harm, anyone close to you could be self-harming, no matter their age, gender, race, or lifestyle choices.

  4. It’s more mental than physical

    Self-harming is only a physical manifestation of mental stress and people frequently self-harm to release stress, gain some control, or feel alive.

  5. It’s not necessarily about suicide

    Even though some people who self-harm feel suicidal, many see self-harm as a way to feel alive.

Why Self-Injury Awareness Day is Important

  1. Hurting people need to see that we care

    Self-Injury Awareness Day is all about showing people who self-harm that they are not alone. The day helps us show them that there are people who care about them and who they can rely on whenever they are hurting.

  2. It erases stigma and stereotypes around self-harm

    There are many stereotypes about self-injury that further worsen the case for people who self-harm. There is also some stigma around the practice. Self-Injury Awareness Day helps more people learn why people self-harm and what to do when someone close to them engages in it.

  3. It connects people to real help

    Many people have found lifelines to hold on to on Self-Injury Awareness Day. People who self-harm can find communities they can connect with and draw support from. They can also find professionals who can help them with their struggles and guide them towards safer ways to deal with them.

Self-Injury Awareness Day dates

YearDateDay
2024March 1Friday
2025March 1Saturday
2026March 1Sunday
2027March 1Monday
2028March 1Wednesday
Festival of Owls Week
Hearing Awareness Week
National Aplastic Anemia & MDS Awareness Week
National Ghostwriters Week
National Invest in Veterans Week
National Will Eisner Week
National Write a Letter of Appreciation Week
North Dakota Winter Show
Universal Human Beings Week
Universal Human Beings Week
Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day
Baba Marta
Baby Sleep Day
Denim Day for Dementia
Endometriosis Awareness Day
Independence Movement Day
International Ideas Month
International Martisor
International Women of Color Day
Mărțișor
National Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Day
National Dadgum That's Good Day
National Day of Unplugging
National Dress in Blue Day
National Employee Appreciation Day
National Fruit Compote Day
National Horse Protection Day
National Hotel Slipper Day
National March First Day
National Minnesota Day
National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
National Pig Day
National Sage Day
National Speech and Debate Education Day
National Texas Stress Day
National Wedding Planning Day
National Welsh Corgi Day
Overseas N.H.S. Workers Day
Peace Corps Day
Plan a Solo Vacation Day
Public Risk Management Awareness Day
Refired Not Retired Day
Self-Injury Awareness Day
Share a Smile Day
St. David's Day
Tsagaan Sar
World Civil Defense Day
World Compliment Day
World Day of Prayer
World Day of Prayer
World Seagrass Day
Yap Day
Zero Discrimination Day
Academy Awards Month
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Alport Syndrome Awareness Month
American Red Cross Month
Berries and Cherries Month
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Brain Injury Awareness Month
Colic Awareness Month
Color Therapy Month
Colorectal Cancer Education and Awareness Month
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
Dolphin Awareness Month
Employee Spirit Month
Endometriosis Month
Essential Tremor Awareness Month
Exotic Winter Fruit & Leeks and Green Onions Month
Expanding Girls' Horizons in Science and Engineering Month
Eye Donor Awareness Month
Frozen Food Month
Gardening, Nature and Ecology Books Month
Gender Equality Month
Greek-American Heritage Month
Honor Society Awareness Month
Humorists are Artists Month
International Mirth Month
Irish-American Heritage Month
Listening Awareness Month
Mad for Plaid Month
Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month
March Madness
Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal
Mental Retardation Awareness Month
Middle Level Education Month
MS Awareness Month
National Athletic Training Month
National Bed Month (U.K.)
National Breast Implant Awareness Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Celery Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
National Cheerleading Safety Month
National Clean up Your IRS Act Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Craft Month
National Credit Education Month
National Crochet Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Ethics Awareness Month
National Flour Month
National Kidney Month
National March Into Literacy Month
National Music in Our Schools Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Optimism Month
National Peanut Month
National Professional Social Worker's Month
National Reading Month
National Sauce Month
National Umbrella Month
National Women's History Month
NZ Book Month
Play the Recorder Month
Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Read an E-Book Month
Red Cross Month
Save Your Vision Month
Sing With Your Child Month
Small Press Month
Social Work Month
Spiritual Wellness Month
Supply Management Month
The Great Daffodil Appeal
Trisomy Awareness Month
Trisomy Awareness Month
Vascular Anomalies Awareness Month
Veggie Month
Women’s Month (Philippines)
Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Workplace Eye Wellness Month
Youth Art Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.