If you've got a story that involves self-harm in any way and want to know if it fits with this campaign, here are the requirements (feel free to message me if you're still unsure):
- A character self-harms - they can be largely involved or only play a small part, so long as their problem is taken seriously
- Their self-harm is met with support, but not encouragement
- No 'your scars are beautiful' bullshit said to an active self-harmer please - that only encourages people to continue creating more 'beautiful' scars
- There can be romance involved, but please don't have the romantic partner being the sole reason the self-harmer recovers - try and make them be strong within themselves and relatively independent, because recovery should be done for yourself, and not anyone else - though help from others is always important and appreciated, a self-harmer should not depend on others completely for their recovery
- The self-harmer actively seeks help at some point in the story
- Recovery comes with positive connotations
- Show realistic reactions from the people they love - people don't just take it on the chin when they find out someone they love self-harms, and that's not a bad thing: there'll be screaming and crying and they'll most likely feel guilty for not noticing sooner, but it only shows that they care and it'll likely help move the recovery of the self-harmer forwards in some way
- Treat self-harm as a real problem, and not one that can be solved instantly with a kiss on the wrists and a boy (that's usually how is goes in these stories, let's be honest)
- DO NOT romanticize, promote or encourage self-harm within these stories - treat it as the problem it really is, and stop making it out to be a beautiful thing. It's not.
- Can be any language or genre.
Thank you all so so much for the support - this campaign has been active for just over two weeks, and it's doing incredibly well. Do continue with the support, because I am incredibly appreciative of every bit I get. (It has now been two and a half years, and this account is doing better than I ever imagined it would. We appreciate all the support, and hope this account continues to help people in any way it can).
For anyone who needs advice or just to talk, you're more than welcome to either shoot me a message on this account or pm me on my personal @softersounds || Saffron xx
Or me JustErinForNow || Erin <3
