HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 13

(By Delegate Perdue)

Designating March 2, 2015 as "Self Injury Awareness Day."

            Whereas, Self-injury, also called self-harm, self-inflicted violence, or self-mutilation, is a coping mechanism used by an estimated 1% of the U.S. population; and

            Whereas, Self-injury is seldom talked about and often misunderstood, leading to those who self-injure being treated unfairly or insensitively by police, doctors, therapists and emergency personnel; and

            Whereas, Self-injurers, despite public perceptions, are generally not psychotic and present little danger to others; and

            Whereas, Effective treatments for self-harm do exist, although many professionals may not be aware of them; and

            Whereas, Raising professional and public awareness of the facts about self-injury will help dispel the fears, myths and taboos that surround the subject and that make it difficult for people who self-injure to obtain effective help; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Delegates:

            That the House of Delegates hereby designates, March 2, 2015, as "Self Injury Awareness Day," and hereby urges all citizens and professionals to increase their awareness of the truths about self-injury, thus allowing people who self-injure to receive fair and sensitive treatment; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates, forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.