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Everyone knows someone that's been affected by this in one way or another. These people are your neighbors, your friends, and sometimes, even your family—and you may not even know they're doing it. This seems like a strange subject for a wolf group to bring up, but I think it's about time we all sat down for a moment and had a chat about self-harm in our art.
Fursonas are representations of ourselves, and when we express pain, anger, and sadness with these characters, it's a constructive, creative release, and sometimes an escape, if only for a little while. It becomes a different story when there is clear self-mutilation involved, transferring from the artist's personal emotions. And it becomes dangerous if the person in question is suicidal. When we accept works into the group's gallery, we are inadvertently endorsing its subject matter, and inadvertently telling people "this is okay." Self-mutilation is a serious issue. We will not be endorsers of this behavior, and we do not want to host an environment that may expose emotionally vulnerable people to graphic images of self-mutilation. While we have never accepted such images into the group in the past, we felt that it was finally time to seriously address this issue. We'd like to make it perfectly clear that we will not accept deviations involving self-harm, even of one's fursona or characters, into the gallery.
With that being said, we'd like to address the issue of self-harm itself. If you could take just a moment to read through the text below, it may help you, or it may empower you with the knowledge needed to help someone who self-harms.
Self-harm is the deliberate, non-suicidal injuring of one's body. Thousands of people struggle in silence with self-mutilation as a result of deep distress and emotional pain. Some feel as if they have no choice, and no other way to cope. And while it does provide an outlet for feelings like sadness, rage, emptiness, guilt, and self-loathing, the relief is temporary, and damaging in the long run. People who struggle with this often do it in secret, and feel that they can't tell anyone for fear of not being understood, or being judged. Hiding your feelings is a heavy burden, and the guilt and secrecy will take it's toll on your relationships with friends and family, and your feelings about yourself. It can make you feel even more lonely, trapped, and worthless.
Clothing can hide physical injuries, and a calm disposition can hide emotional turmoil, so self-harm isn't always easy to detect. There are still signs you can look for, and you should never hesitate to reach out to those you are worried about, even if they aren't displaying any signs.
Self-harm does help those who do it—otherwise, they wouldn't do it. Some of the common reasons for self-harm:
Once a person understands why they injure themselves, they can learn ways to stop, and find resources to support themselves through their struggles.
If it helps, why stop?
If you're ready to get help for cutting or self-harm, the first step is to confide in another person. It can be scary to talk about the very thing you've worked so hard to hide, but it can also be a huge relief to finally let go of your secret and share what you're going through.
Deciding whom you can trust with such personal information can be difficult. Choose someone who isn't going to gossip or try to take control of your recovery. Ask yourself who in your life makes you feel accepted and supported. It could be a friend, teacher, religious leader, counselor, or relative. But you don’t necessarily have to choose someone you are close to.
Eventually, you'll want to open up to your inner circle of friends and family members, but sometimes it's easier to start by talking to an adult who you respect—such as a teacher, religious leader, or counselor - who has a little more distance from the situation and won't find it as difficult to be objective.
Tips for talking about self-harm
You may also need the help and support of a trained professional as you work to overcome the self-harm habit, so consider talking to a therapist. A therapist can help you develop new coping techniques and strategies to stop self-harming, while also helping you get to the root of why you cut or hurt yourself.
Remember, self-harm doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It's an outward expression of inner pain—pain that often has its roots in early life. There is often a connection between self-harm and childhood trauma. Self-harm may be your way of coping with feelings related to past abuse, flashbacks, negative feelings about your body, or other traumatic memories. This may be the case even if you're not consciously aware of the connection.
Deal with your own feelings. You may feel shocked, confused, or even disgusted by self-harming behaviors—and guilty about admitting these feelings. Acknowledging your feelings is an important first step toward helping your loved one.
Learn about the problem. The best way to overcome any discomfort or distaste you feel about self-harm is by learning about it. Understanding why your friend or family member is self-injuring can help you see the world from his or her eyes.
Don't judge. Avoid judgmental comments and criticism—they'll only make things worse. The first two tips will go a long way in helping you with this. Remember, the self-harming person already feels ashamed and alone.
Offer support, not ultimatums. It's only natural to want to help, but threats, punishments, and ultimatums are counterproductive. Express your concern and let the person know that you're available whenever he or she wants to talk or needs support.
Encourage communication. Encourage your loved one to express whatever he or she is feeling, even if it's something you might be uncomfortable with. If the person hasn't told you about the self-harm, bring up the subject in a caring, non-confrontational way: "I’ve noticed injuries on your body, and I want to understand what you're going through."
If the self-harmer is a family member, especially if it is your child, prepare yourself to address difficulties in the family. This is not about blame, but rather about learning ways of dealing with problems and communicating better that can help the whole family.
U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
SOURCE
Fursonas are representations of ourselves, and when we express pain, anger, and sadness with these characters, it's a constructive, creative release, and sometimes an escape, if only for a little while. It becomes a different story when there is clear self-mutilation involved, transferring from the artist's personal emotions. And it becomes dangerous if the person in question is suicidal. When we accept works into the group's gallery, we are inadvertently endorsing its subject matter, and inadvertently telling people "this is okay." Self-mutilation is a serious issue. We will not be endorsers of this behavior, and we do not want to host an environment that may expose emotionally vulnerable people to graphic images of self-mutilation. While we have never accepted such images into the group in the past, we felt that it was finally time to seriously address this issue. We'd like to make it perfectly clear that we will not accept deviations involving self-harm, even of one's fursona or characters, into the gallery.
With that being said, we'd like to address the issue of self-harm itself. If you could take just a moment to read through the text below, it may help you, or it may empower you with the knowledge needed to help someone who self-harms.
Understanding self-harm
Self-harm is the deliberate, non-suicidal injuring of one's body. Thousands of people struggle in silence with self-mutilation as a result of deep distress and emotional pain. Some feel as if they have no choice, and no other way to cope. And while it does provide an outlet for feelings like sadness, rage, emptiness, guilt, and self-loathing, the relief is temporary, and damaging in the long run. People who struggle with this often do it in secret, and feel that they can't tell anyone for fear of not being understood, or being judged. Hiding your feelings is a heavy burden, and the guilt and secrecy will take it's toll on your relationships with friends and family, and your feelings about yourself. It can make you feel even more lonely, trapped, and worthless.
Myths and Facts
Myth: People who cut and self-injure are trying to get attention.
Fact: Most people who self-harm generally do so in secret. They aren't trying to manipulate others or draw attention to themselves. Shame and fear can actually make it very difficult to come forward and ask for help.
Myth: People who self-injure are crazy and/or dangerous.
Fact: Many who self-harm suffer from anxiety, depression, or previous traumas—just like millions of others in the general population. While most people form non-destructive coping mechanisms, self-mutilation is theirs. Labeling them as "crazy" and "dangerous" is neither helpful, nor accurate.
Myth: People who self-injure want to die.
Fact: Self-injurers usually do not want to die. When they self-harm, they are not trying to kill themselves—they are trying to cope with their pain. In fact, self-injury may be a way of helping themselves go on living. However, in the long-term, people who self-injure have a much higher risk of suicide, which is why it’s so important to seek help.
Myth: If the wounds aren’t bad, it's not that serious.
Fact: The severity of a person's wounds has very little to do with how much they may be suffering. Don't assume that because the wounds or injuries are minor, there's nothing to worry about.
Warning Signs
Clothing can hide physical injuries, and a calm disposition can hide emotional turmoil, so self-harm isn't always easy to detect. There are still signs you can look for, and you should never hesitate to reach out to those you are worried about, even if they aren't displaying any signs.
Unexplained wounds or scars from cuts, bruises, or burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs, or chest.
How does self-injury help?
Self-harm does help those who do it—otherwise, they wouldn't do it. Some of the common reasons for self-harm:
Once a person understands why they injure themselves, they can learn ways to stop, and find resources to support themselves through their struggles.
If it helps, why stop?
Quitting, step 1: Confide in someone
If you're ready to get help for cutting or self-harm, the first step is to confide in another person. It can be scary to talk about the very thing you've worked so hard to hide, but it can also be a huge relief to finally let go of your secret and share what you're going through.
Deciding whom you can trust with such personal information can be difficult. Choose someone who isn't going to gossip or try to take control of your recovery. Ask yourself who in your life makes you feel accepted and supported. It could be a friend, teacher, religious leader, counselor, or relative. But you don’t necessarily have to choose someone you are close to.
Eventually, you'll want to open up to your inner circle of friends and family members, but sometimes it's easier to start by talking to an adult who you respect—such as a teacher, religious leader, or counselor - who has a little more distance from the situation and won't find it as difficult to be objective.
Tips for talking about self-harm
Quitting, step 2: Figure out why you self-harm
Quitting, step 3: Re-learn to cope
If you harm to express pain and intense emotions: Paint, draw, or scribble on a big piece of paper with red ink or paint; express your feelings in a journal; compose a poem or song to say what you feel; write down any negative feelings and then rip the paper up; or listen to music that expresses what you're feeling.
If you harm to calm and soothe yourself: Take a bath or hot shower; pet or cuddle with a dog or cat; wrap yourself in a warm blanket; massage your neck, hands, and feet; or listen to calming music.
If you harm because you feel disconnected and numb: Call a friend (you don't have to talk about self-harm); take a cold shower; hold an ice cube in the crook of your arm or leg; chew something with a very strong taste, like chili peppers, peppermint, or a grapefruit peel; or go online to a self-help website, chat room, or message board.
If you harm to release tension or anger: Exercise vigorously—run, dance, jump rope, or hit a punching bag; punch a cushion or mattress or scream into your pillow; squeeze a stress ball or squish Play-Doh or clay; rip something up (sheets of paper, a magazine); or make some noise (play an instrument, even bang on pots and pans).
Substitutes for the cutting sensation: Use a red felt tip pen to mark where you might usually cut; rub ice across your skin where you might usually cut; or put rubber bands on wrists, arms, or legs and snap them instead of cutting or hitting.
Seeking professional help
You may also need the help and support of a trained professional as you work to overcome the self-harm habit, so consider talking to a therapist. A therapist can help you develop new coping techniques and strategies to stop self-harming, while also helping you get to the root of why you cut or hurt yourself.
Remember, self-harm doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It's an outward expression of inner pain—pain that often has its roots in early life. There is often a connection between self-harm and childhood trauma. Self-harm may be your way of coping with feelings related to past abuse, flashbacks, negative feelings about your body, or other traumatic memories. This may be the case even if you're not consciously aware of the connection.
Helping a self-injurer
Deal with your own feelings. You may feel shocked, confused, or even disgusted by self-harming behaviors—and guilty about admitting these feelings. Acknowledging your feelings is an important first step toward helping your loved one. Learn about the problem. The best way to overcome any discomfort or distaste you feel about self-harm is by learning about it. Understanding why your friend or family member is self-injuring can help you see the world from his or her eyes. Don't judge. Avoid judgmental comments and criticism—they'll only make things worse. The first two tips will go a long way in helping you with this. Remember, the self-harming person already feels ashamed and alone. Offer support, not ultimatums. It's only natural to want to help, but threats, punishments, and ultimatums are counterproductive. Express your concern and let the person know that you're available whenever he or she wants to talk or needs support. Encourage communication. Encourage your loved one to express whatever he or she is feeling, even if it's something you might be uncomfortable with. If the person hasn't told you about the self-harm, bring up the subject in a caring, non-confrontational way: "I’ve noticed injuries on your body, and I want to understand what you're going through."If the self-harmer is a family member, especially if it is your child, prepare yourself to address difficulties in the family. This is not about blame, but rather about learning ways of dealing with problems and communicating better that can help the whole family.
U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
International Crisis Helpline Finder
If you are in the middle of a crisis, REACH OUT!
SOURCE
Accepting Admin Applications
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You may have noticed that we have been having a hard time staying on top of the submissions at UWA. Some pass through easily, others take longer or we have to investigate species and then entries to the group sometimes expire. A lot of us are full-time students and can't check our message box every day, so we're always very appreciative of UWA members who are patient.
However it's time to get some new blood into the ranks to ensure submissions are getting accepted/rejected with adequate expediency! If you are seriously interested in having a more active role in the group then fill out the application below, answering the f
September Song Contest--WINNERS
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We are proud to announce the winners of the contest!
First Place
This piece had a very clear story behind it that aligned with the meaning of the song, and the expressions on the characters' faces are very well done.
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Second Place
This would be a song difficult for many to draw to, but we think they matched the tone of the song well with the idea they had in this picture. Cleverly designed characters.
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Third Place
Though there's no obvious story with this one, it's arguably one of the most beautifully done entries and the colors, setting, and character all portray an obvious emotion and
SCHOOL'S NEVER OUT--WINNERS
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We are proud to announce the winners of the contest!
First Place
This entry did a really great job of following the contest theme. The artistic style was also appealing and somewhat action packed. Water is hard to draw!
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Second Place
This entry almost came in first place! We enjoyed the comic representation of the theme, the little story within, and the colors! Wake up Volvatore!
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Third Place
This entry made a lot of us giggle. There are some fierce expressions on those young wolves in reaction to having to learn more wolf business and stop goofing off. Forever young at heart!
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New Alpha, A Farewell Post
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Cynpai
An alpha not soon forgotten
It is with some sadness that I announce the retirement of SulfStamps (https://www.deviantart.com/sulfstamps) from her role as alpha of this group, a job she maintained passionately, patiently, and endearingly. While she remains a member of the group, I have taken her place as alpha and hope to continue her standard of excellence.
A farewell from her now:
It was always a pleasure for me to help maintain a venue for people who just wanted some recognition, to be able to safely submit their art to a group that welcomed artists of all mediums and skill levels. In my time as founder, I made lots of good friends, and I had the opport
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This is very helpful information since those thoughts sometimes cross my mind. ( I am not looking for sympathy; I just want to say this now.) Also, it`s a good thing that this journal entry gives possible substitutes for self-harm. I don`t think you`re doing the person any favors if you tell them to simply stop.