Battle Scars is a small, dedicated, 100% survivor-led and run charity offering local, regional, national as well as international support around self-harm.
The charity says 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.
Their 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.
During the Covid-19 pandemic the charity offered various virtual services. All of these UK-wide services will now continue being on offer as they are allowing the charity to reach people they could not have reached before.
They help those who struggle with self-harm by running easy-to-access peer support groups, with a similar group for their families.
Their worldwide, all-ages Facebook group offers around-the-clock peer support for anybody needing help or wishing to celebrate their achievements. While their training for professionals on self-harm or eating disorders is available on set dates or for private delivery. The charity is also currently developing services for children and young people.
Here’s a quote from a service user which sums up Battle Scars often life-saving work: “I self-harm to have some control over the chaos in my mind, to release the pressure of a drowning soul. But the Battle scars Facebook group has helped me shed the shame I felt regarding my self-harm and gave me a safe space to talk about my urges and feelings without judgment. It has helped me break the cycle and pull out of the spiral I was in.”
In 2022 the Randal Charitable Foundation provided grant funding towards a pilot project for the weekly drop-in, face-to-face self-harm peer support group for 16-25 year olds, in Leeds, England.
To find out more about Battle Scars visit here
