So I am an, ahhh, S.I.er from way back I stopped for years but realized that instead of my usual method of SI I’d hurt myself in other ways. Emotional, physical, moral, anything as long as I hurt. So yeah, pretty self distructive. I’ve hit the wall here and I can’t do this anymore. I’m just done. I need a support group in my area very badly. I need to pull myself out of this hole. I need some help to do it. I’m not looking for an internet forum or anything like that. I need accountability and to see others who are going through the same. Some that are better than me so I have something to strive for and some that are worse off so I can feel better about where I am at right now. Is there anyone else in my area looking for or found anything like this?
Hi,
I actually live in this area. I do not know of any (I haven’t really looked much either) but if you find one can you pass the info along?
Thanks.
Hi –
I’m a Clinical Therapist with the S.A.F.E. program. The lack of support groups for self injury is a huge, and sad, problem. I really wish we had a list of groups we could send you to – but we don’t. I also looked on our therapist referral page to see if I could at least direct you to a therapist in your area – there are none listed in MN. I’m sorry about that – however, it does NOT mean there aren’t any! It just means they’ve not contacted us to be on that list.
One thing we did to try and help with this problem was to create a manual that could be a guide for people who wanted to start a group in their area. Here is the link to it:
http://store.selfinjury.com/category-s/24.htm
On the home page of selfinjury.com, under “locations” in the right column, there is a link for the SAFE Focus groups that are up and running – again, none in your area. BUT you could contact those folks to see how the Focus manual has worked for them. I’m really not trying to sell you something – my main goal is to get people the support they need. And it looks like there are two of you in that area – so you’d be on your way to a group if one of you would want to be the leader. You don’t have to be a therapist to do so – the book is a great guide.
Also, even more than any support group I would really encourage you to work at finding a therapist to work with. Also at our website is a “how to find a therapist” section, under “referrals” I believe. It would give you some great questions to ask when you’re trying to find the right therapist for you. They could be your greatest support to overcome self injury. You are hiring the therapist – so they should be happy to answer questions about how they work with people who self injure. There is help out there, you just have to look for it. And when you’re “done” as you say, that’s the best time to look! You are worth fighting for!!
Best wishes,
Pam
Hey Blueray,
What do you think? Should we get this book thing and at least go over it together?
Hi punkdaisy,
I know it is way long after you posted this, but I was just reading back through the comments. Email me at jcrayray@hotmail.com if you still want/need to talk.
I’ve also been looking for a support group in Minneapolis, but haven’t been able to find anything. Have you guys started anything yet? I would love to try and start a group if either of you are interested. One of the most helpful things for me at safe was group time and it’s one of the things I miss the most. My email is kara.erstad@gmail.com