On January 20, vocalist Andy Biersack of Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES taped a two-minute public service announcement (PSA) for the Musicians Opposed To Bullying (M.O.B.) web site. The clip, in which the singer talks about self-injury or self harming — when a person deliberately hurts themselves physically to deal with the emotional pain they are suffering — can be seen below.

According to National-Awareness-Days.com, when it comes to self-harm, cutting is thought of as the main way people hurt themselves. But burning, bruising and scratching are amongst other methods used by people who are distressed. Another misconception is that it's mainly teenage girls that use this coping mechanism — but it also includes people of both sexes and all ages, races and backgrounds. So why do it?

This mechanism can provide people with a sensation that 'breaks feelings of numbness'. This emotional pain is caused by issues such as low-self esteem, trauma, perfectionism and abuse. A person can go on suffering like this while telling no-one and feeling unable to break the cycle.

For more information, go to the LifeSIGNS web site.