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ALL Battle Scars face-to-face services are suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus situation. We're running virtual groups at various times and days
To support, educate and bring everybody together
Self-harm is generally misunderstood and has a large stigma attached to it. People who self-harm often feel isolated and experience guilt or are judged for what is a coping mechanism, a way to deal with life, a way to regain control.
Battle Scars has been a registered charity in England and Wales since February 6th, 2018. We've been operating in Leeds since April 2016 as a community group. We aim to support anybody affected by self-harm: those who self-harm and those supporting them, make sure they no longer feel alone and to break down the stigma.
Our definition of self-harm is
We are running adult survivor led groups in Leeds and Wakefield, to support anyone who self-harms, their families, friends and carers, professionals, or anyone who is trying to understand self-harm. We do that by providing opportunities to explore the issues of self-harm within a safe environment, discover and understand the reasons behind it, open up and share without risking judgement so we can help each other become stronger and find better ways to cope.
We run discussion groups for parents/family/friends to help increase their understanding of self-harm and mental health and managing self-harm workshop for 11-16 year olds (please contact us for 16-18's workshop). We do assemblies in high schools about self-harm and eating disorders and talk to under 11's in primary schools about self-harm in an age-appropriate manner.
We also support professionals who work with people who self-harm by providing training.
Please see events & services for more information on the groups and our other services.
Please check out the resources available on this website for self-help tools, tools to be used when working with people who self-harm, insights and information.
For online peer support please join the closed Facebook support group "Battle Scars survivor led self harm support group" which is for anybody, anywhere in the world.
Battle Scars has been a registered charity in England and Wales since February 6th, 2018. We've been operating in Leeds since April 2016 as a community group. We aim to support anybody affected by self-harm: those who self-harm and those supporting them, make sure they no longer feel alone and to break down the stigma.
Our definition of self-harm is
- Self-harm inflicted on the body with immediate and longer term effect such as cutting, burning, scratching, pulling hair, hitting, inserting objects, overdosing, poisoning, eating disorders (or any food related self-harm, e.g. overeating, as well as restricting liquids), taking risks etc. but not including alcohol or drug abuse unless combined with self-harm as described above.We recognise that alcohol and drug abuse can be considered as self-harm but we lack the capacity and expertise to provide support with these.
- Psychological harm to the self (e.g. neglect, obsessive negative thinking, sabotaging relationships, maintaining a pattern of creating similar damaging relationships etc.)
We are running adult survivor led groups in Leeds and Wakefield, to support anyone who self-harms, their families, friends and carers, professionals, or anyone who is trying to understand self-harm. We do that by providing opportunities to explore the issues of self-harm within a safe environment, discover and understand the reasons behind it, open up and share without risking judgement so we can help each other become stronger and find better ways to cope.
We run discussion groups for parents/family/friends to help increase their understanding of self-harm and mental health and managing self-harm workshop for 11-16 year olds (please contact us for 16-18's workshop). We do assemblies in high schools about self-harm and eating disorders and talk to under 11's in primary schools about self-harm in an age-appropriate manner.
We also support professionals who work with people who self-harm by providing training.
Please see events & services for more information on the groups and our other services.
Please check out the resources available on this website for self-help tools, tools to be used when working with people who self-harm, insights and information.
For online peer support please join the closed Facebook support group "Battle Scars survivor led self harm support group" which is for anybody, anywhere in the world.
Our renown Crisis Card is meant to be carried by those who might experience severe mental distress and need to seek help. We send the cards, posters & stands free of charge to services, organisations, companies, schools etc in the UK.
Click on image to order
The Battle Scars wristbands are now on sale!
Youth & adult sizes available. Click on image for details 
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I self-harm to have some control over the chaos in my mind, to release the pressure of a drowning soul. But the Battle scars Facebook group has helped me shed the shame I felt regarding my self-harm and gave me a safe space to talk about my urges and feelings without judgment. It has helped me break the cycle and pull out of the spiral I was in. 
Our annual report is just out. We'll hold a virtual AGM on Thu 27 Aug, 7-8 pm. If you wish to join us please contact us.
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