Should I go? (trigger?)

I'm sure many of you have heard of the organization "To Write Love On Her Arms". Well next Wednesday this group will be giving a presentation at a local college -admission is free- and my parents said we could go. I was excited until I read the information on the college website. It says they are going to talk about spreading awareness of the mental illness prevalent around the campus. I'm worried it's going to trigger me. Not to make me want to hurt myself, but that it will make me feel strange seeing my peers taking interest in this sort of thing the way I do. I know this is a good thing - reducing the stigma - but, I don't know, there's always been a reason why I don't think most people my age would be into something like this. It makes me feel special believing that I am the only person that pays attention to this...I know I'm not, but that's how it feels somehow. Does any of this make sense? It's so hard to explain. I'm just unsure of whether or not I should go.

What's the scariest part about going?

That the stupid part of me won't like the realization that I'm not the only person my age that cares about this sort of thing and is interested in it...dumb isn't it.

((((((((Beauitiful Indie))))))))

I think I understand what you mean. But if you look at it from the point of view that they are trying to stop suicide by taking an interest in the person, rather than the actual mental illness itself and jus trying to reduce the stigma so that people who are depressed can be identified by their behaviour and supported to get help or be connected to mental health services.

You dear, beautiful Indie are so special and so wise beyond your years that I doubt the other kids your age or younger would be as interested in the subject as you. You have a unique insight and a unique way of using the information you learn and I don't in all honesty think the others would be mature enough to study it the way you do and use it the way you do.

I think this conference is as I said a targeting of making sure that people with depression or other mental illness are not lost or forgotten and are at less risk of self harm or suicide. I know that it may do you the world of good to go to this presentation and I know that we will learn something from it when you come home and share it with us,

Lots of loving hugs and support.

(by the way how is the Kyron search going?)

Greetings,

Only you can decide. Therefore, take your time, find yourself, and do what it is you truly want to.

Have a good one.

Thank you...I pray you're right rhiannon

They still haven't found Kyron, but everyone thinks the stepmom has a lot to do with it. I think of him often.

go with your gut feelings about whether you should go re triggers.
but, jme, this is wonderful they are doing this. there may be college students that will go that have symptoms they discuss and that may result in their getting help rather than hiding their differences from everybody. i was so relieved when i finally had a term that explained me. up til then i projected a happy outgoing individual to everyone cause i didn't know what made me feel different. inside i was soooo depressed. it took an enormous amount of mental energy to keep up this facade. but i felt i had to do that so no one would know about my depression. everything seemed so easy for others and for me it took great effort to cope. i was ashamed that i didn't know how to deal with things like they did. now i'm me, better, and can really smile, and mean it.

It does sound interesting.
I believe I'd have an issue with going or not too.
One ALL the people.

The other would be 'if any' controversy arises in the crowd!

BUT it is Great They are doing this -

Thank you Don't get me wrong, I think it is wonderful they are doing this - the stigma against SI is enormous, and it's stupid really, people calling us "emo"...I might take a friend with me so it should be better than going with my parents.

That sounds great dear Indie. Misinformed people consider emo to be a style of person or dress. In actual fact it is a genre of punk music albeit soft not hard. The emo scene is made up of people who follow the emo music which is characterised by a lack of colour, life, emotion or caring.

But these days it has come to mean kids with self harm issues which is totally off the mark altogether. But no matter the label at least it is being recognised and something done about it. Many kids are drawn to the emo scene or lifestyle because they are depressed and the bleakness of emo is relative to them, it is how they feel inside and outside. It really is vital that people recognise the issues under the surface.

Relax dear Indie, you may really really enjoy it

Hey we EMO's Are AWESOME we have to stick together