#OURSCARS

our scars, our voices, our stories.

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Thank You!

To the kind and supportive folks who welcomed us in Waterloo last night and to WPIRG for organizing!

[ourscarscanada-blog]

"We can’t judge how people ask for help." ‪#‎ourscars‬ http://ourscars.ca/

[maggotfaceddoll]

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Our first 1,000 resource cards ready to go for tonight's event in Kitchener-Waterloo! Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Media Advisory: Touring Self Harm Advocacy Project Coming to Waterloo (July 16th)

MEDIA ADVISORY

July 11th, 2013 Media Contact: Dylan Powell 905 684 5730 / [email protected]

ourscars.ca

fb.com/ourscarscanada I twitter.com/ourscarscanada Waterloo, CANADA - A touring self harm advocacy project will reach Kitchener-Waterloo next Tuesday (July 16th). The project took the idea of online self harm tool mail in's and first brought it to the city of St. Catharines - promoting community based healing, self harm alternatives and the opportunity to retire tools for those interested. The Our Scars project is now teaming up with the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) and will be holding the event at the University of Waterloo (Environment 3-1408) from 6pm to 8pm.

The Kitchener-Waterloo region holds the highest per emergency visits for self harm in Southern Ontario (third highest in the Province) and Our Scars is still also looking for care providers and organizations to reach out to and work with in the area.

Project Co-Founder and Coordinator Dylan Powell had this to say about coming to Kitchener-Waterloo, "With high statistics there has been a move on the part of care providers in the Region to try and address gaps in the system. We hope that we can help be part of a larger shift towards appropriate care that breaks down stigma and barriers and promotes community healing. We are happy to partner with WPIRG and start to build partnerships and coalitions in the area."

Specific to this stop the project also wants to use this as a point to remember Ashley Smith, the 19 year old woman who died at Grand Valley Institution For Women in 2007. "Ashley's story is a tragic illustration of the barriers that exist in accessing appropriate care for those who struggle with self harm. The social isolation, the stigma and institutional barriers that Ashley faced were great. Coming to Kitchener Waterloo we want to honour her life and also the work that folks are still doing to keep her memory and struggle alive with the We Remember Ashley Smith (WRAS) campaign."

  The facebook event page is below. Bus tickets and a free meal are being provided by WPRIG. Attached are promo posters and photos from the St. Catharines Tool Drop Off event. https://www.facebook.com/events/144740299052505/

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[ourscarscanada-blog]

New Perk Added - Send Your Message!

A large part of what we are attempting is self harm alternatives, set alongside a non judgmental and supportive structure.  One thing which will be part of that will be wristbands. For those who self harm we know that wristbands have a dual purpose - they can cover scars and lessen stigma, and they can also serve as a physical barrier to no longer fixate on a specific area of self harm. Many who do self harm have been using wristbands as a strategy already themselves - we want to take this, incorporate it into our project, and also print an encouraging message on the bands that is inclusive, supportive and does not single out the person wearing it. As we begin our school speaking schedule in July - we want to mass produce resource cards and wristbands so that at every school we go to, everyone gets both. This is going to be tough to reach this goal - so we need your help. Because we need help, we also thought it would be good to give people some creative control over the message on the bands. Bands are $230 for 1000. Any donation at or over that $230 mark allows that donor to be in on the creative process for creating that message. A message that will be delivered to 1,000 people - and potentially seen by many more. A positive message of support, inclusion and love for those who self harm and struggle. You can donate either via our IndieGoGo (below) or direct by paypal or email money transfer to [email protected].

As always - we appreciate any and all support!

Thank you!

http://igg.me/at/ourscars/x/2987554

[unapologetically-human]

Breathe. You’re going to be okay. Breathe and remember that you’ve been in this place before. You’ve been this uncomfortable and anxious and scared, and you’ve survived. Breathe and know that you can survive this too. These feelings can’t break you. They’re painful and debilitating, but you can sit with them and eventually, they will pass. Maybe not immediately, but sometime soon, they are going to fade and when they do, you’ll look back at this moment and laugh for having doubted your resilience. I know it feels unbearable right now, but keep breathing, again and again. This will pass. I promise it will pass.

Daniell Koepke

[ourscarscanada-blog]

“People who self-harm typically have a history of sexual abuse, trauma, violence or are fighting numerous battles at once,” Powell said. “When they self-harm, they are less likely to access resources or care because they can’t take the stigma they may have to confront with care providers." “These are people in our community who may want help, but are forced to suffer in silence because we are unwilling to change our attitudes. This is a community issue. We need to move people from that passive or apathetic position to taking an active and supportive role.”

[ourscarscanada-blog]

What Self Harm Alternatives Worked For You?

We are always looking for more suggestions as we develop this project. Currently we are working on partnering to offer reduced rates for tattoos to cover scars, reduced rates and coupons for soaps that help lessens scars, bracelets to cover and act as a reminder, as well as a mentoring from folks who have retired that part of themselves. We want to know though - what worked for you?

[burningpewter]

support systems are wonderful and important to have. whether that involves one close confidant, a full group of friends, a relative, or an animal companion. utilize and rely on them when shit gets tough, and remember that when all else fails, they care.

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Calling Tattoo Shops and Artists in Canada

Disclaimer: It is important to explain that this project is meant to provide resources and services for folks across the entire spectrum of self harm - for folks who use tools and for folks who don't. For folks who are currently self harming, and for those transitioned or who are looking to transition. We will be most likely more known for our tool drop offs and for transition events like the one we are promoting here - but, we want folks to know that that is not all of what we are intending to do. We have heard the stories of many folks who have self harmed and who have transitioned away, or who currently struggle (including those of the people directly involved with this campaign). One story that we kept hearing repeated was that folks either finally transitioned by either retiring their tools to a friend or support and/or that they covered their scars with tattoos. Although tattoos can carry their own stigmas in our society, folks felt much better with them then leaving exposed scars. We want to encourage both of these things for folks who want to transition away from self harm, or who want to retire that part of them. A focus of this project will be a coordinated network of physical spaces that can serve as a hub to access resources, build community and to retire tools. As we build this network, we also want to build a network of sympathetic and supportive tattoo artists and shops who will offer reduced rates and confidentiality for folks who wish to cover scars. This is a call for those people to come forward and to reach out to us - ourscarscanada {AT] gmail {DOT} com We will be building a list, and a network of artists and shops in the beginning - vetting shops to make sure they understand fully the focus of this project and ensuring that they are folks that can be trusted. After we have this set, we will be releasing a form for folks to fill out (ensuring that all regular tattoo policies are met) and then we will be connecting people with shops and artists. If this is an idea that you support - please share it with your networks via social media and word of mouth. If you know tattoo artists/shops that might be a good fit - let them know and have them reach out to us. To everyone who has been supportive thus far - thank you!

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Just launched! #regram or donate if you can! Lets take this show on the road. Hit us up at http://igg.me/at/ourscars/x/2987554 #selfharm #ourscars #scars

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Our Scars IndieGoG

#OurScars is a touring advocacy project attempting to change society’s understanding of self harm and to promote community based healing.

[hellanne]

The only thing I know is this: I am full of wounds and still standing on my feet.

Nikos Kazantzakis (via hellanne)

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Turned in at the Self Harm Tool Drop off last weekend in St. Catharines. Part of breaking the stigma around self harm is broadening the definition to no longer make folks invisible - including folks who do not even use tools. Thank you to this person for reaching out and retiring toothbrush. For folks who struggle with bulimia - this project is here for you too! #ourscars

[hipstahs-b3for3-mistahs-blog]

On April 16th, 2013  Everyone who self harms, is suicidal, depressed, has anxiety, is unhappy, going through a broken heart, just lost a loved one etc. Draw a semicolon on your wrist. A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended but chose not to. The author is you, and the sentence is your life. Repost and tag to #semicolonproject416

[ourscarscanada-blog]

Interesting project with some great visuals/messaging. Support for all those out there participating today!

[ourscarscanada-blog]

This quote/photo has been circulating in response to the explosions today at the Boston Marathon. We want to play a part in making this quote part of the dialogue and focusing on energy on healing. The message is one that also fits perfectly with what we are trying to accomplish.