National Self Harm Awareness Day

I didn't know til now!! I'll go put on some colors when I get out of work

I fully support this. It is very close to me. I have love written in orange on the scars on my arm.

I didn't know about today. I didnt have an orange hi-lighter BUT I did have an orange Sharpie so I will probably be showing support tomorrow too. :flowerforyou:

Thank you for the post. Until last night I had no idea....

Going right now to find an orange ribbon.

Now that I read that again I realize I might sound whiny or over sensitive. But I'm just a bit upset that such a positive thread is being made fun of.

Honestly it was not pointed at people, just the emo group, which I think is funny. It certainly was not directed at you.

...and on a sick side, i appreciate you calling me an *kitten*. :flowerforyou:

Thank you for that... picture.

I'm guessing you meant it as a joke, but -

1. That wasn't exactly appropriate.
2, I'm not an 'emo' (or in any other category. I'm me. That is all)

It's not appropriate at all. I don't see how anyone can laugh at it. It's offensive and triggering.

I'm sorry. I'm totally supportive of your cause to bring awareness to the issue, but it seems to me that coloring on your old scars would be more triggering than a bad joke.

Because it's both a reminder to ourselves of what we've overcome/need to overcome, as well as covering them up. Which most people who self harm do, to hide.

Making a joke out of it, however, is triggering because most people self harm *because* they've been made fun of or picked on or abused physically and/or verbally.

That's how I see it at least. I'm not every person in the world, obviously, but that's why I find it offensive.

I would just like to add that this is exactly why I thought people would self harm, for the above mentioned reasons and have come to realize that it could happen to anyone. Every single person deals with the stresses of THEIR life differently. I also understand that some people will never understand unless or until they have ever been in this situation either as the harmer themselves or just a loved one of someone who has.

I read through this thread early this morning. I see the profile photo has changed, the food diary has changed, and the profile itself has changed. Either you are jerking our chain for attention or you need more help than you will ever get on MFP. I am surprised this hasn't been locked up yet. I joined MFP because the concept is based on a healthy approach to life including a HEALTHY diet and exercise.

And for those of you who will jump down my throat for being insensitive: How many of you are capable of supporting or counseling a person with self destructive disorder in a manner so as NOT to cause more damage? I can't imagine what it would be like to want to hurt myself in order to feel better, but I hope these people are getting professional help and not depending on MFPs "experts" for help.

Self-Harm isn't actually what most people seem to think it is.
It'd be really nice if people didn't stigmatise or label it (I repeat, I'm NOT an emo!)

It's just a way of dealing with life in the same way people get angry, or cry in a corner, or talk to a psychologist, or smoke, or overeat, or take drugs.
You're telling me you've never done any one of these? Or deal with life another way?
It might not be the most productive way of dealing with life, but that doesn't make it wrong.



Just to clarify

Getting angry, crying in the corner, taking drugs, over eating, cutting yourself, burning yourself... which ones of those are "right"? Professional help.