you think a poster helps? raising awareness does not help. fundraising and volunteering does.

What a joke, #86. This girl is trying to prevent those in need from killing themselves. Funding isn't going to open discussion for those who feel trapped, raising awareness will open discussion and peoples hearts. Grow up and stop trying to put down a noble cause.

This is high school, you have to let them know there is a problem before you can start fundraisers, after all would you become part of a campaign with out knowing anything about it? No you would think it was a scam. Hopefully OP you can raise awareness at your school, the best way is to talk to your friends about it and ask them to spread it among their friends and get parents involved. Try looking on the internet for self harm awareness, some might even be willing to go to your school to help raise awareness too.

self harm has been around for decades people know its a real thing. putting posters up does not encourage discussions all it does is make a problem trendy and you end up with more "sufferers" put down the sharpies and get pro active

yeah lets talk about self harm. lets all navel gaze and talk in a group while the places that could actually help have no funding. people may die because thry cant get proper help but hey at leqst people are talking about it.

Ignore the idiots OP. A few years ago the father of a bullying victim, named Ryan Halligon came to my school, and talked about his son. Maybe you can convince your principal to invite him? You can find his website, and email through Google.

I thumbed you down by mistake, sorry.

Money and volunteers wont help someone stop cutting themselves. A person in a dark place who cuts might need a friend or to know that someone cares. Raising awareness definitely helps. If someone has a friend who cuts, the poster might help them know what to do, assure them that it happens to others too and that they can get help. It might not help everyone, but in cases like this, even a little bit of help means a lot. And if the principal okayed the damn poster, OP should NOT have been suspended.

Sorry for your loss, OP. They punished you because you were doing a good thing, and that was awful. Self-harm is a topic that has to be taken in a serious way, and the people in your school are not acting right.

Unfortunately, my good friend won't stop cutting herself (it started again after she went off the deep end from a break up). Each time she does, she cuts a little bit deeper, and I'm afraid of what might happen. She doesn't deny cutting herself, she denies it's a problem. She doesn't see that her cutting doesn't just hurt her, it hurts me too. I feel like I'm not doing enough to help her, and guilt grows in me. Self-harm is not a laughing matter or made up.

It's people like OP that restores my faith in humanity

monannon, do you EVER have anything helpful or intelligent to say? all I ever see are your bitchy, pessimistic, feminazi comments getting buried. Hope it's a long, painful fall off your high horse.

At least she is actually trying to do something good, unlike you and your hateful comments!

92 have you ever had a friend or family member harm themselves? Ever had to sit by their side because they tried to kill themselves? Because it sure doesn't sound like it. Yes self harm has been around for decades, but people don't talk about it, people condemn those who harm themselves, they say things like it's their problem, why should I care that (s)he hurts themselves? Many people don't know that people still self harm, for god sake there are still people who don't know that eating disorders run rampant. People are conditioned to not talk about stuff that is difficult and or uncomfortable, that's why people need to raise awareness, let people KNOW there is a problem, force people to leave Lala land where they think no one has emotional problems.

Shut your mouth, buddy (I use that term VERY loosely); you could do with a few lessons in proper grammar in order to make yourself at least partway convincing. I self harm, OP, and I'm really really glad that you're attempting to spread awareness about the issue. The staff should be hanging their heads in shame right now.

92, you've never known anyone that had or is self harming themselves or has committed suicide have you? Honestly what would you do with the money from the fundraiser? Say 'hey! Here's some money I raised so you don't have to hurt yourself!' Doing posters, peer groups and other type of sorts IS being proactive. For those that do self harm or is considering suicide the best way for them is to know that people do care and to have someone they can trust and talk to, to talk about what's bothering them and anything else they need to talk or vent about. To get this to happen, you may need to put posters up for the awareness of the problem, and if enough people respond and are interested in the cause, then you can progress and do whatever you feel is necessary for those in need.

Actually, self harm is largely misunderstood. People are aware of it but they don't really know anything of it. You would be surprised how many people are oblivious to their surroundings.

this couldn't have been worded any better.

omg same!! he came to my school to

Schools are becoming more communist every day.

I am very sorry for your loss

Wow #86 I've honestly never seen more dislikes than that

That's a tragically serious realization of this world when someone wanting to create awareness about something which results in possible death is punished for trying to help save others.

Most people in my school didn't "know it's a real thing" most people in the world don't "know it's a real thing" many think it's a made up thing for attention.

He came to my school a few days ago too! Wow, it really is a small world. And ouch, OP. The same thing actually happened to me, except I just got left with a warning.

#86 is in some alternate universe. I have personally gone through depression and being suicidal. I was in a very bad place and no one cared or even helped. I finally reconnected with this friend of mine and she talked me through everything. With out her I would be in a grave right now, no questions asked. So come back to reality. I'm really sorry for your loss OP. It's the worst when it's someone you know. Hope things get better for you and you principal stops being an ass :)

there might not be a problem at OPs school and even if there is do you thimk drawing attention to already vunerable people is going to help?

94 - Can you just shut the hell up?

If there's no attention directed to the people who need help, how can they get any?