March is designated as National Self-Harm Awareness Month, and in recognition of this vital time, Beacon Mental Health is committed to sharing valuable insights about selfharm. This month serves as a crucial opportunity to explore and dismantle the typical stereotypes that surround self-harm behaviors, which are frequently misrepresented and misunderstood. “Self-harm, also known as non-suicidal self-injury, is different than suicide, though a person can engage in self-harm and also experience suicidal thoughts and feelings at the same time,” said Beacon Mental Health Youth Suicide Prevention Specialist Taylor Cline. “It’s important to understand self-harm not as an attempt to take one’s own life, but as an unhealthy coping mechanism. When a person feels as though they have no control over their own life, thoughts and feelings, they may seek ways to externalize or release intense emotional pain in a way that helps them feel in control.” Cline offered insightful tips on ways to…