Story
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page! On the 7th to the 8th of June, I am taking on the challenge of running/walking 29km of the Lake District Ultra Challenge, to raise money for an amazing, Leeds based, mental health charity called Battle Scars.
This wonderful charity offers support around self-harm and aims to open up the conversation surrounding the topic.
"Self-harm is far more widespread and complex than most people think. It's also mostly hidden and often judged due to the stigma attached to it. Our aim is to break down this stigma, raise awareness, dispel the myths and support those affected by self-harm irrelevant of gender, age, background and location. - Battle Scars
The stigma around talking about self-harm directly impacts the care people receive. The fear of being met with judgment and lack of empathy discourages people who are struggling with self-harm from opening up to friends, family and colleagues. This leads to many people suffering in silence for years, too scared to access the support services that exist. This is why Battle Scars is so important. It provides a safe, judgment-free space for people to discuss their struggles in an understanding and 100% survivor-led environment. This then helps break down the taboo around this topic and aids others in feeling less isolated with their struggles.
Donations to small charities like this are vital. Particularly with the recent cuts to social services funding in Leeds, donations are even more important to allow them to keep doing their amazing work. Every little helps !
Here is the link to Battle Scars website, where you can find their resources for both those affected by self-harm and for family/friends who have a loved one struggling. Alongside this they have additional information on workplace training, groups and updates on current projects the charity are undertaking, so you can find out what your donations will be directly supporting !