New Personal Stories
Rachel
I want to tell you about my self harm. I want to make you understand and I want to make me understand too. I want to get to a point where I can be wound free — where my body only shows the scars of where I’ve been and not where I am right now. I can’t remember the last time I was completely wound-free. I was once, maybe when I was about 13. It’s hard to say.
Read the rest of Rachel’s story…
Also, make sure to visit Rachel’s site, MadNOTBad
Kiley
Before I even knew there was such a thing as the self-injury epidemic, I was part of it.
It started late one night (as most things do) when I was a junior in high school, not sure why I couldn’t stop crying, but very sure that jabbing my fingertips with a sewing needle was just the way to do it. At the time, I didn’t realise there was a name for my peculiar behaviour, just that it calmed me down.
Featured Books
Crosses
Nancy and Katie are best friends with one big thing in common: they both
cut themselves. They don’t cut by accident; they do it purposely. And
they don’t talk about why they do it. Soon Nancy realises that she and
Katie need cutting to get through the day.
Crosses was the first novel for young adults to deal with an increasingly widespread disorder, and graphically describes the cry for help of many adolescents and how far they have to fall before they are even noticed.
A Bright Red Scream
An investigation of why so many people deliberately hurt themselves
and what can be done to help them. The illness “outed” on a global
scale when Princess Diana admitted hurting herself deliberately, and
continues to be practised mainly by middle-class women who start in
their teens and self-harm throughout their lives.
Featured Links
- Self-Injury, Abuse and Trauma Directory — An extensive one-stop listing of self-injury, abuse and trauma resources on the Web. Edited by UK counsellor and author. Frequently updated.
- Bullying Online — A very comprehensive site dealing with bullying issues. Contains thirty sections of practical advice. Offers personal advice via e-mail.
- The Self Injury Anthology Project — A collection of references to self injury in popular culture (books, movies, television, etc.).
- Can’t Shout, Can’t Scream — A self injury zine. Currently 8 issues online.
- SI, the Secret Pain — One of my recent favorites. Includes the author’s story, coping tips and poetry.
- Self Harm. You are Not Alone — John’s blog chronicling the events that let him to self harm and his subsequent treatment.
- The Student Counseling Virtual Pamphlet Collection — A big collection of links to pamphlets on subjects ranging from alcohol abuse to traumatic events.
- BPDWORLD — Support site for those with borderline personality disorder.
- Self Injury — Part of Gordon Houghton’s site.
- MadNOTBad — […] the realm of the mental health ‘Service User’ and those close to them — the carer, family or friend.
- Anna Paterson — Very good personal site on eating disorders.
- Damaged Minds — Salli’s site has well-written, useful info on bipolar disorder, self injury etc.
- APA Diagnostic Classification DSM-IV-TR — Online reprint of part of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Feedback
Danielle
I just want to say as a struggling cutter that your site really helps me. I have been cutting since I was ten years old. I am now 13. I have always felt so alone in my problem or whatever you would like to call it. I have always felt that there is no one out there quite like me, no one who understands what I go through. I have felt like my friends don’t know why I cut. It’s more of a need than a want. With your site I see that there are others like me. Ones that understand the need to cut.
Brianna
I have been self injury free for three months now. I love the confidence I get when I can lift my sleeves and not see fresh wounds. I wanted to let everyone know that you can do it. You can be self injury free.
Cori
I really enjoy this website. I read some of the personal experiences and the poetry, and I can relate so well. I feel like I could have written those things, those are things I’ve been through or I’ve felt. Thank you for making this page.
Sidebar
Need Help?
If you need someone to talk to, you can contact Befrienders or The Samaritans. Or check the self-help page on Secret Shame.
If you are feeling suicidal, please read this first.
Recommended Links
- Secret Shame
- Self-Injury: A Struggle
- RecoverYourLife.com
- Self-Injury & Related Issues
- Equilibrium
- Under the Skin
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