Battle Scars is a 100% survivor led and run charity supporting anyone affected by self-harm. Its vision is to make sure nobody who struggles with self-harm, in whichever form, fights alone, and to break down the stigma surrounding self-harm. Its definition of self-harm is broad: any harm done to the body or mind, external or internal, with short or long-term effect.
Battle Scars boast no waiting lists, simple access, and responsive development driven by open dialogue between users, volunteers, staff, and trustees. It builds better awareness of self-harm's complexity, roots and reasons resulting in anybody affected receiving non-judgemental, genuine peer support, acceptance and understanding so they can build a healthier future for themselves. Battle Scars offer support to people of all ages (to date: 18 months to 83 years old) and genders by providing varied support which includes UK-wide virtual services (peer groups, professional training), local face-to-face assistance (age-specific groups, school programmes), phone support (England), moderated global Facebook group, popular webinars, addiction programme and various free resources including a youth journal.
Beneficiaries include children and adults who self-harm, their families and friends, professionals who work with people who self-harm or come across them through their work. In 2022/23 3,600 individuals directly benefited from Battle Scars support. It also supports organisations from all sectors and take active part in developing and implementing self-harm strategies on a regional and national level.
