Reader comments
Cutting away the pain

As a person who also used to cut I find myself wishing I had known more about it before and during that time in my life. I think it's a wonderful and courageous thing that these people did in sharing their stories. It shows that even though there is hope and help out there if we only look for it. I have found that the worst thing you can do if you cut is to stay quiet and shut others out. The people that love you especially. Talking has enabled me to say that I have been cut free for 77 days, 22 hours, and 32 minutes. Although I still long to cut, I know it's not worth the pain I've seen in my best friends eyes. Kudos for writing about this not talked about enough subject.

I'm thankful for this article which has helped me to understand the many people who I talk with online who struggle with cutting and otherwise harming themselves. I want everyone to know that God made a plan for personal relationship with him; and that was to send Jesus to pay the price of death for our sins. Because of Christ's redemption those who believe in Him are deeply loved, fully forgiven and absolutely complete. None of us are worthy of His grace and mercy it's his free gift of love to us. My prayer is that everyone will reach out to the hurting in love, realizing that we all have issues we struggle with and none of us are any better or worse than the other. We need to help each other through this life, with the power of the Holy Spirit who is our strength and comforter. Also I'd like to share with you that there is a place where you can come and know that you're loved and accepted regardless of your beliefs and that is called Christianity Oasis.

If you are a self-injurer or 'cutter', there is hope! I recently graduated from a program called S.A.F.E. Alternatives in Denton, Texas, which is an intensive program specifically designed to treat self-injury...I would encourage anyone to check out the website! Just google self-injury and the site should come up as a result.