Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day – June 1, 2024

World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day is a global event that takes place annually on June 1, intending to raise awareness about the effects and signs of narcissistic abuse. Often, the patterns and impacts of narcissistic abuse are not as clear-cut due to its intangible nature and lack of research. Thus, the day is dedicated to providing education, support, and resources for survivors to build a greater understanding of how to help victims avoid abusers in the future and rebuild their mental health.

History of World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day

World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day was initiated in 2016 by psychotherapist Bree Bonchay as a campaign to highlight and educate the public on the effects of narcissistic abuse and how signs can be spotted.

The indicators of a mentally abusive relationship are not always clear. While physical abuse leaves tell-tale marks such as bruises, cuts, and scars, emotional abuse is difficult to pinpoint due to its mainly verbal and mental nature. However, it can have a larger, longer impact on the victim that can affect them through the rest of their lives.

The word ‘narcissist’ itself is commonly used to describe anyone full of themselves, but its meaning goes deeper than that. Narcissism itself is a destructive, damaging pattern of behavior that can leave severe mental impacts on others. Victims of narcissistic abuse may have experienced things such as gaslighting, isolation, and neglect, and may be insulted regularly by a partner, friend, family member, or even strangers. Sometimes, more impressionable victims might not realize the abuse is happening as they might internalize this confusion, causing further mental damage and increasing their self-deprecation.

Sometimes, abusers do so because they suffer from actual personality disorders, namely Narcissistic Personality Disorder (N.P.D.), Antisocial Personality Disorder (A.S.P.D.), and many others, but they don’t necessarily have to be. They may exhibit signs of antisocial behavior, an inability to show sympathy or empathy to others, and an incredibly self-important nature that makes them actively restrict self-reflection, treatment, and change. The causes of developing these traits can range from cultural factors to the state of upbringing. Unfortunately, the effects of narcissistic abuse are relatively understudied, and statistics can be hard to come by.

This makes putting an end to narcissistic abuse a challenge, but it is still possible to do so by raising awareness and educating people on what constitutes such abuse, how to identify abusers, and what can be done to help the victims and survivors.

World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day timeline

8 A.D.
The Creation of Narcissus

The Roman poet Ovid records the story of Narcissus, the selfish, handsome hunter whose self-aggrandizing personality forms the basis of the current meaning of the term ‘narcissist.’

1925
The First Recognition as a Personality

The first case study on a narcissistic personality is published by Austrian psychoanalyst Robert Waelder.

1968
The Disorder Gets its Name

Austrian-American psychologist Heinz Kohut first coins the term ‘narcissistic personality disorder.’

2016
The Observance

World Narcissistic Abuse Day is first held.

World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day FAQs

What happens during narcissistic abuse?

The effects of narcissistic abuse span a variety of mental issues such as heightened anxiety, loss of self-worth, depression, cognitive problems such as memory loss or difficulty focusing, trust issues, self-harm, and even the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. These problems can severely damage the victim in the long run and might also affect those around them.

What are the main behavioral traits of narcissistic abusers?

Typical signs of narcissistic abuse include the overexertion of dominance, manipulation, intimidation, emotional coercion, humiliation, pathological lying, extreme jealousy, excessive guilt-tripping, gaslighting, financial abuse, isolating the victim, lacking empathy for others, having unrealistic expectations, and an extreme sense of self-entitlement.

Are there laws that help prohibit narcissistic abuse?

While there aren’t any specific laws forbidding emotional abuse, it is a legal course of action in courts and is a valid basis for litigation.

How to Observe World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day

  1. Learn more about narcissistic abuse

    You can learn more about the symptoms and effects of narcissistic abuse by searching for studies and similar reading material online. The World Narcissistic Abuse Day website, for example, offers easy-to-understand insights on the matter.

  2. Spread the word, show you care

    Post on your social media pages regarding World Narcissistic Abuse Day or information on narcissistic abuse by using the campaign's official hashtag #IfMyWoundsWereVisible. You can also add the W.N.A.A.D. ribbon to your social media profile pictures to show your solidarity.

  3. Be there for those who need it

    If you know someone who is exhibiting tell-tale signs of emotional abuse, it helps to be there for them to help them get through the situation. Listen to what they have to say, and direct them to the help they need. A little bit of empathy will go a long way.

5 Concerning Facts About Narcissism

  1. The scope of abuse

    World Narcissistic Abuse Day founder Bree Bonchay states that up to 158 million people in the United States are currently affected by narcissistic abuse.

  2. The general statistic

    The Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (D.S.M.-5) says that the prevalence of the general population suffering from an antisocial personality disorder is estimated to be at least 3.3%.

  3. A study of the brain

    Neurological studies show that narcissists' brains tend to exhibit signs of abnormality in their insular cortex, which is the region of the brain known to generate empathy.

  4. The official name for a beloved flower

    'Narcissus poeticus' is the scientific namesake of the daffodil.

  5. Narcissists in pop culture

    According to experts, the most accurate depictions of narcissistic personalities in pop culture include the Lannister family from “Game of Thrones,” Jay Gatsby from “The Great Gatsby,” and Amy Dunne from “Gone Girl.”

Why World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day is Important

  1. It raises awareness

    World Narcissistic Abuse Day shines the light on an issue that is rampant yet difficult to see. It helps us understand why the abuse takes place, how to minimize its effects, and makes us more aware of the importance of mental health.

  2. It shows victims they’re not alone

    The day lets us display our solidarity towards those who have been victims of all types of mental abuse. It shows them that they are not alone in fighting this, and that help is always within an arm's reach.

  3. It can help spur research

    Because studies on the effects of narcissistic abuse are not as plentiful as they should be, World Narcissistic Abuse Day can help inspire further research on the matter. While the internet is littered with tales from sufferers and survivors, more scientific research on the effects of narcissistic abuse can build further understanding of the long-term effects and can help develop and improve treatments.

World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day dates

YearDateDay
2024June 1Saturday
2025June 1Sunday
2026June 1Monday
2027June 1Tuesday
2028June 1Thursday
International Clothesline Week
National CPR and AED Awareness Week
National Fishing and Boating Week
RSPCA Week
Step Parents Week
Volunteers' Week
Dare Day
Dinosaur Day
Don't Give up the Ship Day
Flip A Coin Day
Gawai Dayak
Global Day of Parents
Intergenerational Day
International Children's Day
International Tabletop Day
Madaraka Day
National Barefoot Day
National Billboard Day
National Black Bear Day
National Bubbly Day
National Hazelnut Cake Day
National Heimlich Maneuver Day
National Nail Polish Day
National Olive Day
National Pen Pal Day
National Prairie Day
National Roman Day
National Skincare Education Day
National Trails Day
New Year's Resolution Recommitment Day
Oscar the Grouch Day
Samoa Independence Day
Say Something Nice Day
Stand For Children Day
Statehood Day in Kentucky
Statehood Day in Tennessee
The Big Lunch
Wear a Dress Day
World Milk Day
World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day
World Outlander Day
World Reef Awareness Day
African American Appreciation Month
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Awareness Month
Aphasia Awareness Month
Audiobook Month
Beautiful in Your Skin Month
Black Lives Matter Month
Black Music Month
Cancer from the Sun Month
Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Cataract Awareness Month
Celibacy Awareness Month
Child Vision Awareness Month
Children's Awareness Month
CMV Awareness Month
Cucumber Month
Effective Communications Month
Entrepreneurs "Do it Yourself" Marketing Month
Fight the Filthy Fly Month
Fireworks Eye Safety Month
Fireworks Safety Month
Georgia Blueberry Month
Great Outdoors Month
Infertility Awareness Month
International Surf Music Month
Lane Courtesy Month
Mango Month
Men's Health Month
Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
National Accordion Awareness Month
National Adopt A Cat Month
National Camping Month
National Candy Month
National Country Cooking Month
National Dairy Month
National DJ Month
National Foster a Pet Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Frozen Yogurt Month
National Give a Bunch of Balloons Month
National Homeownership Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Lemon Month
National Microchipping Month
National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
National Oceans Month
National Osteoporosis Month
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Pollinator Month
National PTSD Awareness Month
National Rivers Month
National Rose Month
National Safety Month
National Scoliosis Awareness Month
National Soul Food Month
National Steakhouse Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
Oral Health Month
Perennial Gardening Month
Pharmacists Declare War on Alcoholism Month
Pluot & Aprium Month
Potty Training Awareness Month
Pride Month
Pride Month
Professional Wellness Month
Rebuild Your Life Month
Scleroderma Awareness Month
Skyscraper Month
Social Petworking Month
Sports America Kids Month
Turkey Lovers Month
Vision Research Month
We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty
Women’s Golf Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

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