Well - coming from someone who used to self injure in areas that others would not be able to avoid seeing .. I can guess the public display was he/she felt their cries for help were being ignored or outright shoved back at them to the point he/she knew talking was not an option. I chose self injury as my outlet in those days .. I also attempted a few times, but it was my self injuries that were public my attempts I tried to keep "semi-private". So basically .. it was the person speaking in the only way they knew how anymore
I am sorry you found the person though. I can only imagine the effect that has on you. ❤