Harmless Selects pieces for their DVD!


Harmless is user-led non-profit organisation based in the UK, that is working towards providing support, information, training and awareness to those affected by self harm. These include not only people who are self harming, but friends, families, teachers and professionals who may seek support and information.

A month ago, the Harmless team emailed me asking whether I knew anyone who had or was willing to write poetry and short stories that could be used as part of two of their current projects. The first was a DVD project and the second based on their website. My first instincts were to ask the talented members of deviantArt and see whether they had the words, which in the future could genuinely make someone feel positive. I sent out an appeal article- DA Article- Harmless seek positive writing and deviantArt did me proud! 23 people submitted pieces to this cause, which alone was positive. Along with submissions from other sources, I can now announce the pieces from dA that Harmless have chosen to use.


The DVD Project has been something Harmless have been working on for several months now, with the added writings completing the project for release next month. As Harmless’ website says, the DVD will be:

“For use as a resource to promote recovery and self belief, or as a tool to enhance professional development; through the eyes of those with first hand experience, we will examine the nature of self harm, distress, and recovery.”

Not only will the featured works be used, but the DVD will also follow journeys of personal experiences, interviews with leading professionals and thought provoking commentary. For those interested, this DVD now available for pre-orders.

Four poems were selected from the submissions from deviantArt. These were:

Still life by =inspiredimperfection

“Yes I do wish to go back there” by `PoeticWar

Scars by ^StJoan

Fortitude by *MSJames


All four of these entries will receive a free copy of the DVD when it is realised. In addition to these four, four more pieces from the submissions have also been selected to be displayed on the Harmless website . This website is an excellent resource for anyone, whether you are a professional, a teacher, someone who is seeking support, or even just curious to know a little bit more about self harm. The four additional submissions are:

On the Way by ~Ceeg

I Grew Resilience by ~ApplePoet

Self Harmers Anonymous by =Echoes-of-the-Dead

Daisy chains by `Beccalicious


Harmless are so pleased with the work all the deviants provided, they had difficulty deciding which pieces to use. However congratulations to everyone whose piece is going to be used, and thank you ever so much for submitting. Harmless were that happy with the quality deviantArt members provided, that they will be looking towards us again for future works- including other art forms besides literature. This includes a book which is in the pipeline, and also a possible creative section to their website.

Thank you everyone who supported this. Self harm is one of those issues where a lot of people relate it to certain derogotory sterotypes. Projects such as harmless are challenging those sterotypes and making people from all walks of life to open their eyes. I encourage you all, just have a look at the Harmless website and see for yourself the amazing work they are putting in.

Thank you