Lets “Make sense” of Self harm.

According to a report by the Samaritans, in 2005 around 170,000 people in the UK ended up in hospital as a result of self harm. This statistic is further backed up by the fact in the UK one in eight people are affected by self harm, whether they suffer themselves or are possibly a friend, family or professional. Despite myths, stereotypes and any other drama; it often seems forgotten that behind these, there are people suffering, sometimes alone.

This article is mainly to promote a small DVD trailer that I would like to bring to attention to as many people as possible.

Harmless is a UK based Non-profit organisation which focuses on support and raising awareness of Self harm for those who are suffering in silence, friends and family, and professionals. Although the project is based in the UK, they hope to extend the message to a world wide audience.

This organisation is something which is very close to my heart, having worked with some of the organisers previously. As someone who used to self harm, I have deep empathy for those still struggling to cope. What I also have is a strong desire, a passion to get the message of awareness out in the open, away from all those poor stereotypes.


Not a choice, not something you do, not something you are.


“Self harm is a coping strategy that helps people to manage their emotional hurt or stress. It is important to remember that it is not attempted suicide, but it is something that people do in order to survive. “ (Harmless website)


The trailer that is linked in this article is a segment of a 90 minute DVD which is publicly released in January. Harmless may be based in the UK, but their message is something which universally needs to be heard. In the DVD, (and also the trailer) we listen to people who self harm, to professionals and friends and family. We get to hear the words about what it is really like and as the DVD punch line reads, it give a chance for these people “to be heard in their own words”


“ People who self harm often find it difficult to talk about the way they cope, their feelings and difficulties and it can be helpful to talk things through.” (Harmless website)


The DVD will also include features of writing from members of deviantArt who back in the summer submitted writings for this project to offer words of positivity and share experiences. Some of these pieces will also be available on their website.


Share you time, dispel a myth


What I am asking of you all is not for love or rejection of this article, but to take just ten minutes of your time to view the DVD trailer. This 9 minute film and as a stand alone documentary it could dispel a lot of the myths and maybe even open your eyes to a little more understanding of perhaps why someone may be hurting themselves and how attitudes need to be changed. If you have more than 10 minutes, then I am open to discuss this project and self harm itself. I would also like to encourage you to view their website and take in what an incredibly important and wonderful organisation this is.


The link for the DVD trailer is here: [link]

Harmless website: [link]





“Nobody is a professional at being human”

Thank you

`Beccalicious