March is Self-Harm Awareness Month, and this spring break season, local mental health experts want parents, caregivers, and those who work with young people to know that self-harm among children typically increases following a return from school breaks and in the final weeks of the school year. According to the Department of Health Services (DHS), adolescent self-harm visits to Wisconsin emergency departments (ED) showed a nearly 10% increase in May 2023 compared to the previous month and a 24% increase in adolescent visits in April 2024 compared to the month prior.
Self-harm refers to intentional actions taken to hurt oneself. It may be done as a coping strategy in response to stress, anxiety, or other emotional and/or mental health concerns. While someone who self-harms may or may not have the intention to die by suicide, self-harm may put a person at greater risk for repeated self-harm, suicide attempt, or death by suicide. Sturgeon Bay Psychologist Dr. Dennis White says there are signs that someone may give that show they are possibly contemplating suicide.
Dr. White says suicide is preventable, and most suicidal individuals desperately want to live but can’t see alternatives to their problems. You can reach out to local mental health clinics or call the national suicide helpline at 1-800-273-8255.
