National Self Harm Awareness Day

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.

You seem to think it's easy to get professional help. It's expensive and from past experiences, not very useful.

I have to disagree with you there. First off, what is considered 'professional help' is really just a jerk that got a certificate off the internet. You need to see a qualified psychologist (*note that I said psychologist, and NOT a psychiatrist). Secondly, professional help will benefit anyone who is open to it. You can't be forced into treatment.

*EDIT - Let me also add that any good psychologist will work with you financially. You just need to break out a phone book and call around to find them.

Sadly, I'm not wearing orange I'm wearing pink lol but in all seriousness I used to be a cutter between the ages 15-18

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.

Other than a little over-sensitivity to a bad joke (which is completely understandable), I don't really see how the OP has warranted this. She didn't ask for help. She asked for compassion. Your post totally shows a lack thereof.

This. She didn't ask for anything but for some people to raise awareness.

I don't think I own any orange at all, but I will look for something. Feel good about yourself today, everyone! We are all so freaking awesome.

Sadly, I'm not wearing orange I'm wearing pink lol but in all seriousness I used to be a cutter between the ages 15-18

I'm glad you recovered dear. ♥

Thanks : ) those ages was a hellish time back then now that i'm 21 and I have good faith in God nothing can never put back into that state of mind anymore

More power to understanding and acceptance, no one should feel outcast or the need to hide, the more people understand and are aware the more people that may just ask and offer help be it be a shoulder, an ear or a you are not alone.

Be strong, be brave, be bold, all can over come and wear orange people :-) xx

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.

:noway: Whatever get over it! My diary changes all the time. Most days I plug in what I plan on eating and the workout I plan on doing. This gives me a chance to see if I can have a beer or if I need to run another mile because mashed potatoes are a calorie bomb. Try being a little more compassionate and a little less judgy :flowerforyou:

Also I drew a little heart on my hand with an orange highlighter and outlined it with a pen. <- (except orange)

It is unbelievable how people have reacted to this topic. It was started to raise awareness for a very important topic, and people seemed to find a way to turn it into a joke or argument. It is important that we talk about these kind of things openly and with understanding, all while keeping an open mind. Otherwise, this kind of stuff gets shuffled under the rug, and people who participate in self-harm activities are scared to come forth about it. Think about it this way--if every time a cutter/person with an ED/etc confides in someone their destructive behaviors, and that person reacts with "There is something wrong with you," it will make that person much less likely to come out with problems in the future to try to fix them.

The social stigma surrounding self-harm (as well most other mental health concerns, for that matter) is disgusting. Sure, some people absolutely do harm themselves for attention, but it is important to remember that there are those who are truly struggling with the addiction of self-injury as a coping mechanism. Thank you for posting this; awareness is important!

These ^

if i knew this i would have worn my orange tshirt. i love orange tshirts.

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.

OK - I'll out myself here - I AM qualified to counsel people with this issue since I am an LMSW working in a state psychiatric hospital and this is the most common reason for women to be admitted to such an institution. My thoughts:

1. It is VERY hard to find a qualified therapist in the community with proper skills, humor and willingness to assist individuals who self harm. Even harder to get insurance that will help pay for it.

2. People who battle this daily are often dealing with layers of issues (just as most of us who eat to stuff our feelings and end up being obese - OK) and show tremendous courage in their battle and in the OP's willngness to share a small part of her story.

3. Peer Support, peer counseling and peers who can genuinely listen are IMMENSLY HELPFUL and all of the peers who self harm and have commented that I have read so far have been right on target.

4. Using marker to on scars and on the body as an alternative to self harm is actually a therapeutic technique, and to do this for awareness shows a much deeper solidarity than you might now.

5. I really wish we had known it was awareness day for this because we could have really used it to focus on for treatment today.

Beware of judging those who struggle lest you be judged when your struggle overtakes you.

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.

OK - I'll out myself here - I AM qualified to counsel people with this issue since I am an LMSW working in a state psychiatric hospital and this is the most common reason for women to be admitted to such an institution. My thoughts:

1. It is VERY hard to find a qualified therapist in the community with proper skills, humor and willingness to assist individuals who self harm. Even harder to get insurance that will help pay for it.

2. People who battle this daily are often dealing with layers of issues (just as most of us who eat to stuff our feelings and end up being obese - OK) and show tremendous courage in their battle and in the OP's willngness to share a small part of her story.

3. Peer Support, peer counseling and peers who can genuinely listen are IMMENSLY HELPFUL and all of the peers who self harm and have commented that I have read so far have been right on target.

4. Using marker to on scars and on the body as an alternative to self harm is actually a therapeutic technique, and to do this for awareness shows a much deeper solidarity than you might now.

5. I really wish we had known it was awareness day for this because we could have really used it to focus on for treatment today.

Beware of judging those who struggle lest you be judged when your struggle overtakes you.

I live in a metropolitan area. I will admit that it is probably more difficult to find qualified help in a rural area. Still, it isn't going to work for you unless you really want it, and that is true whether you are talking about cutting, drug addiction, or eating disorders. If you really want the help, all you have to do is look for it, and you will find it.

As eating disorders can be considered a form of self harm (and often include more "common" acts of self harm as a result,) I think this goes here.

Who's wearing orange today?

Hopefully this'll go over better than the posts about February being ED Awareness Month. Seriously people, show a little support.

Unfortunately, most websites for Self Harming do not recognize over eating or binging as a form of Self Harm. I have tried to contact selfinjury.org seeking more information, or requesting that they provide information to others regarding this matter...and the contact information was no good. The email was returned. That's sad because people that binge, are serving the same purpose as someone who cuts, burns, etc. And others should be aware of it all!!!!

♥

I hope no one minds me posting this, but I think it could be useful for anyone in a university setting. A couple of years ago, I was one of the founding members of a chapter of Active Minds (activeminds.org) at my school. It's a national organization (over 300 chapters now! ) and was started by a girl whose brother committed suicide. The aim of the group is to spread mental health awareness and fight against stigma on college campuses through peer support.

We held events and information tables about concerns like stress management, eating disorders, depression, and self-harm. A lot of students didn't take it seriously, but there were a handful who confided in us, who asked questions and allowed us to refer them to the school's counseling center. I believe wholeheartedly in supporting and accepting each other, and I feel like Active Minds encourages people to do just that.

Again, I hope no one minds me posting this, but I like to take every relevant opportunity to tell people about Active Minds, because it was so important to me.