The Student Health Center is at it again…this time with Self Love Day.  April fourth, also known as Self Love Day, took place in the cafeteria during lunch periods 3 – 8  a  nd in the library after school. Self Love day was created to bring awareness to the fact that self harm is real.

Self-harm is the act of deliberately causing harm to oneself either by physical injury, putting oneself in dangerous situations, and/or neglecting oneself.  Self-harm ranges from cutting and burning oneself  to eating disorders, and even head banging or hitting.

The Student Organization provided everyone who attended the event with sheets on Common Misconceptions about self harm.  The informative sheets dispelled the myth  that only females self-harm, only teenagers self-harm, and anyone who self-harms is crazy and should be locked up.

After these sheets were distributed, students were asked if they wanted the word “love” written on their wrist to symbolize being against self harm.

Also, an anonymous survey was given with questions about self harm and how it affects people in school. Some of the questions included: “Is there a safe place you can go for help if you need?”, and “Do you know anyone who self-harms?”  D’Arcy Hearn, Curtis Health Center Community Outreach Liaison, said, “I think students should know there are adults and other teens that they can talk to.”

In the final activity students received two different cutouts: one brick for their biggest fear and a foot for their biggest dream. Katie Madden said, “I think it was very cool and a really good way to spread the word on self-harm.”

After school in the library, the movie “Perks Of Being A Wallflower” was played. The movie depicts a teen named Charlie faced with many challenges that he is struggling to overcome. Loreta Oguntoyinbo said, “In the library everyone really enjoyed the movie and the message.” The message of Perks Of Being A Wallflower is that you should love yourself no matter what.