Hey guys!

This is a blog post I've been wanting to do for a while but after spending the last few days on Tumblr, it's just confirmed that this is a blog post that needs to be done.

So what do I mean by romanticism of self-harm and suicide? What I mean by that is that self-harm and suicide has suddenly become 'glamourous', if you can call it that. It seems to have become a trend to make a Tumblr account and reblog nothing but triggering images of fresh cuts and suicidal quotes with no trigger warning. With popular TV shows like Skins and websites like Tumblr that do a pretty good job of making self harm and addiction seem like a tragically beautiful thing, it's no wonder so many teenagers are considering self harming. It's crazy to think someone would go onto Tumblr, search the 'depression' tag and go "you know what, I've never self harmed before, it looks so beautiful, I might try it." I'm sorry, but self-harming is not something you plan out weeks ahead, you don't keep a diary of days when you need to self-harm, it just happens. 

Then there's the group of Tumblr users who go even further promote self harm by posting pictures of their own fresh cuts on there. People who self-harm as a form of release would often never dream of showing off their scars in the fear of someone questioning them about it, but these pro self-harm blog owners will just post pictures of their cuts, add a 'tragically beautiful' caption and be on their way. No consideration for others, no trigger warnings or better yet, it would make Tumblr a much nicer place if all the pro self-harm blog owners were never allowed to make another blog again.

It's making an entire mockery of the destigmatization of mental health. It's putting us all in a category of 'attention seekers' and 'drama queens' because there's a minority of people who think it's another trend that they can jump on the back of, but this is a 'trend' that's been going on for too long. 

This is a very good example of why self-harm and suicides within teenagers are so high. There's a small percentage of people who do for attention, there's a percentage of people who do it because they think they're some kind of artist and it makes them more edgy and cool if they self-harm and then there's the people who genuinely self-harm because they have depression, low self-esteem, a horrible family life etc, they are the people I feel for, those are the people that deserve the real help. This whole 'self harm is a beautiful tragedy' trend needs to stop before it gets out of hand.

Self-harm and suicide is not beautiful. Self-harm is an absolutely horrible thing to have to go through and I wish I could help every single person who's ever been through it. You're so strong. And I'm so sorry that there are people taking your strength away from you just for attention.

Here is are some charities and helplines that you can talk to if you're feeling at risk of harm or suicide, please talk to them. They're there to help.

PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide): Call on 08000 68 41 41 or text them on 07786209697.

Samaritans: Call on 08457 909090.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic.

That's all for now,

Rachel. xo