March 1st marks self-injury awareness day.  For many, recovery from self-injury can be a long journey. Like any unhealthy coping strategy, it may take a while for an individual to even want to change. Often, people self-harm because it brings relief during moments of intense emotional suffering. Someone may be experiencing overwhelming feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety or numbness. When they engage in self-harm, their overwhelming feelings may temporarily be relieved. 

We all have protective factors in our lives that help us be resilient when faced with challenges. We tend to underestimate our strength and what our mind and body can handle.

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions. They can affect people of any gender, culture, body shape or background. They are about more than just food. They can change how a young person thinks and feels about eating and their body. Body image and eating behaviours exist on a spectrum. As children and youth develop, the way they see and feel about their bodies may also change. There are many factors that shape how we think about food and our bodies, including culture, family, external influences and life experiences.