Media Advisory: Touring Self Harm Advocacy Project Coming to Waterloo (July 16th)
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Waterloo, CANADA - A touring self harm advocacy project will reach Kitchener-Waterloo next Tuesday (July 16th). The project took the idea of online self harm tool mail in's and first brought it to the city of St. Catharines - promoting community based healing, self harm alternatives and the opportunity to retire tools for those interested.
The Our Scars project is now teaming up with the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) and will be holding the event at the University of Waterloo (Environment 3-1408) from 6pm to 8pm.
The Kitchener-Waterloo region holds the highest per emergency visits for self harm in Southern Ontario (third highest in the Province) and Our Scars is still also looking for care providers and organizations to reach out to and work with in the area.
Project Co-Founder and Coordinator Dylan Powell had this to say about coming to Kitchener-Waterloo, "With high statistics there has been a move on the part of care providers in the Region to try and address gaps in the system. We hope that we can help be part of a larger shift towards appropriate care that breaks down stigma and barriers and promotes community healing. We are happy to partner with WPIRG and start to build partnerships and coalitions in the area."
Specific to this stop the project also wants to use this as a point to remember Ashley Smith, the 19 year old woman who died at Grand Valley Institution For Women in 2007. "Ashley's story is a tragic illustration of the barriers that exist in accessing appropriate care for those who struggle with self harm. The social isolation, the stigma and institutional barriers that Ashley faced were great. Coming to Kitchener Waterloo we want to honour her life and also the work that folks are still doing to keep her memory and struggle alive with the We Remember Ashley Smith (WRAS) campaign."
The facebook event page is below. Bus tickets and a free meal are being provided by WPRIG. Attached are promo posters and photos from the St. Catharines Tool Drop Off event.
https://www.facebook.com/events/144740299052505/