Promote knowledge of and help abolish the common misconceptions associated with mental illness. Visit inpatient facilities for those suffering from mental illness and let them know that they are not forgotten. Something as simple as having your school choir perform or doing artwork can have tremendous beneficial effects.

I myself have bipolar disorder im 18 years old now, and it is actually nice to see people not calling everyone crazy, when i was in school i used to self injur myself just because it got rid of half the stress i was feeling, but if youre like me dont make the mistakes i did and not get help, talk to somebody and get help about it asap, it can make all the difference also if you have a friend that is depressed, self injurer, anything, be there for them . you might not understand everything but it helps tremendously to know someone is there for you through it all <3. but i am neither crazy or insane ive made some bad mistakes but who hasnt just remember there are better options than hurting yourself, you will still remember everything you might not want to later and you will have more and more to add to it. just be a friend

since when did being "emo" become cool? i cant walk into my hight school without seeing 5-10 people who will proudly show you their scars. to me they are just doing it to fit in. but why would you want to be labeled as a cutter? all it does is give people who really do cut a bad name. my twin sister was a cutter and she didnt go around braggin about it. to me it just doesnt seem right.

I would really have to agree with a lot of the views a lot of other people have. I myself also was a self-mutilator due to rape by a close family member and other NUMEROUS personal tradgedies. I also am a manic depressant. Depression is certainly nothing to be taken lightly; it is a serious illness just like any other. I can definitely say that if anything happens to you like what happened to me, get help quickly. Also, I can personally say that if you or anyone else is struggling with hurting yourself / themself, that is not the way to go. There are always better options. The pain will still be there after the mutilations; it doesn't make it go away. Find strength in friends, family, church, support groups, teachers, therapists, whoever works for you. Develop support; they will help you stand firm. I know that mutilation may take the pain away for a little bit, but it is only a temporary release. I have not hurt myself in a little over a year and I have never been happier! And remember-- everything that doesn't kill you will only make you stronger and you are never alone. (And if you're hurting yourself you're hurting others too; trust me, I know!) Also, if you or someone you know is ever considering suicide, don't. It IS a permanant solution to a temporary problem. You may feel the pain is too great like I did, but it's not; it WILL pass. (Yes, I've tried to commit suicide, too-- twice as a matter of fact.) Now I have a bright future going to college to become a therapist and a grief, crisis, trauma counselor. If I had not gone through the fire, I would not be wanting to do that. This is another benefit of tradgedy-- helping others with the same or similar stuff. Stay strong. God bless.
-Heather

many young people do injury to them self in a attempt to surprise or to let out their pain. it's normal,but there is another way and sometimes talking or crying can also help. you don't have to feel like thats the only way cause causing pain to yourself might help at that minute,but it doesn't end the pain you feeling it just make you forget about it for that hour or whatever.

I know how it feel to be depressed,I was and still is dealing with depression. depression can be triggered from a lot of things such as family problems,something tragic that happen to you such as getting raped or molested.depression is a hard thing to deal with alone and sometimes I know you feel overwhelmed like their nothing to live for.depression isn't something that should be taken lightly because there is help out there and it does help.I always thought that I could deal with it to on my own and that I didn't need no help. I thought by harming myself,cutting and burning would surprise what I was feeling inside,but It didn't help I finally thought ending my life was that best way to solve all my problems,but the truth is it doesn't it doesn't make the pain go away yeah you won't think about it,but what about all the things you could of had or look forward to death is no resolution.please if you have depression there are ways to help yourself the first is to tell yourself you have a problem and seeking out the help there are so many young people facing this you aren't alone,but we can be successful and conquer it if we just get the help

If you're going through a tough time with Self Injury...I totally understand.
I'm 21, and have been a self injurer for 10 years, and decided last year I was taking the big step of finally recovering.

I created a message board, and myspace based on recovery.
If you're looking to try and recover, there are 159 members on the message board, and over 300 on the myspace...all willing to support and help you. Just check it out, it couldn't hurt more than you already are.

be safe!

http://xsorbit28.com/users5/selfinjuryrecovery/index.php

http://www.myspace.com/SIRecovery

even if you arent a self injurer and want to support others that are, and are trying to recover...you are more than welcome to join!

spread the word...
...you're not alone.

I am a 22 year old with ADHD and it is a battle. Words can not explain from the expensive medicine to the inability to focus. I want to help elementary school children in urban areas who may have ADHD but have a lack of resources. How can I do that?

WALTER JR

I'm in 7th grade anf we have Gym with the mental illness kids in building 8. I'm the only one who are their friends and I don't sympothize them too much but not too little. I also have a little brother who has ADHD and Bi-Polar I still love him when he's not being annoying. Hug some one today and tell them u love them. ^-^

I feel like it is very very important to have someone that can help any person, any age deal with the loss of an animal. I'm over fifty years old and still feel extreme grief over a cat I had for eight years and had to have her euthanized because of mammary cancer. I am almost unconsolable, my heart is so squeezed by her death. I felt the same deep loss by a dog I had when I was twelve, who was hit by a car and died in my arms, cried for over a week because of that. Someone who can respond quickly online, who won't laugh because they think I'm being silly or just a little 'touched' in the head. I look for such help and know something like that might help a young person who is in a lot of pain and has to keep it inside. rick1girl

Im finding I have more time on my hands than is good for me. So I thought that it would be good for me and the public if I did something to give back and to help my community. How can I get started?

Those suffering with mental illness not only suffer from the stress of their condition, but also have to deal with the stigma that is commonly attached to their condition. Whether a severe mental disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or whether something less serious such as depression, simply labeling one as mentally ill can have devastating implications. Such a label puts one in the category of an outsider making it more difficult for one to become fully incorporated into society. By doing nothing, you passively perpetuate the social exclusion of those suffering from mental illness. So do something. Promote knowledge of and help abolish the common misconceptions associated with mental illness. Visit inpatient facilities for those suffering from mental illness and let them know that they are not forgotten. Something as simple as having your school choir perform or doing artwork can have tremendous beneficial effects.