What's the deal with 'To Write Love On Her Arms'?

[Boobies]

Seriously, I don't get why there is such a 'hype' about it, as far as I can tell it's basically a merchandise franchise or something similar... Seriously, I don't see how they help people in anyway, in fact the only thing I can tell that they do is recommend places (likes website etc) for people who SH to go to? So really it's a 'charity' that gives to 'charities'? That, and it supposedly makes people more aware of SH?
Seriously though, I fail to see how it helps actually helps people, it just seems to try and make SH more socially acceptable (I'm not saying this is a bad thing). But with social acceptability it also increases as well, so I'd also guess that it 'encourages' people to start as well? I'm not saying this is definitely the case though.
In the end I think there much more deserving charities out there, that do more then just refer people onto other places, or sell clothes (which I personally find unattractive...)
But yes, in the end I personally see it as no more then a fashion statement.

[losing touch.]

a lot of people don't like TWLOHA.. for loads of different reasons. meh, personally i don't know much about it, i don't actively support it [i haven't bought any of the shirts or hoodies or whatever] and i don't regularly participate in the TWLOHA days, but that's probably because i don't know anyone who does, irl. but i don't see anything wrong with the organisation.. and the message of 'rescue is possible' [i think] is a very positive one, so i can only see that they'll be doing good for a lot of people. i do agree with the whole 'it could encourage people to start' though. but overall i think it does more good than bad. :]

[Chaos Theory]

A lot of my friends do very actively support it. I think lately the whole TWLOHA thing somehow became a trend that everyone lately brought the shirt, wear them, walking around without even knowing the back story behind that shirt, or what exactly they are wearing to represent. It used to be something...more pure, without all the fashion crap.

It changed the lives of my friend. So, yeah.

[Brandon]

I hardly ever see anybody in real life wearing "TWLOHA" shirts. I'll admit that I know nothing about it, but I don't really care for it so it doesn't really matter. I agree that it's unattractive when I DO see women wearing the shirts.

[Chaos Theory]

Why is it unattractive.........?

[Rainbow Dash]

It annoys me when people wear the clothes purely for fashion >.> I think they are kind of nice looking but that's not the bloody point in it :/

[MadPoet]

Yeah, well, the point of TWLOHA isn't to attract the attention of a bunch of guys, or to be super attractive. I mean, come on.
Cloting CAN make statements, and it can be worn for more than a mere fashion statement.

A lot of times when I would cut myself, I felt that I was alone, and that the rest of the world thought I was a freak. I didn't know where to turn, and I thought that no one else could have any way of understanding. TWLOHA helped a bit, because whenever I would see someone wearing one of the shirts, I would think "well maybe some people understand more than I expect them to."

It's nice to have an organization that focuses on the problems you deal with from day to day, and it's always helpful to know that you're not alone in the difficulties that you face in life. Depressed people often feel alone, and the message that I think TWLOHA tries to send is that there's people on your side, and that you're not struggling alone.

I admit that it is treated as more of a trend by some people, but the majority see it as something more.

[Thirteen]

Not to mention, the merchandising from TWLOHA does actually help out other programs. The donations go towards things like Help Lines, different forms of treatments, and stuff, if I'm not mistaken.

But I think it's a nice idea to let Self-Harmers know that they're not alone, and that people either are aware, struggle with SH, or used to struggle.

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Good idea, but its a seriously shady organisation, so although I do support their cause I don't support them, if you get me.

[BabyGirl747]

its not shady, if you go to their website you can read the story about how it all started

[Thirteen]

Originally Posted by XhopeIsrealX

its not shady, if you go to their website you can read the story about how it all started

I think what is meant is, you can't really find information on which specific organizations they raise funds for. Believe me, I tried looking for further information on their site, and couldn't find specifics.

If you can find their statement of who they donate to specifically though, that'd be great to know.

[Boobies]

Originally Posted by BelowZero

Why is it unattractive.........?

Because there is no physical appeal to it? =S

[Lizzie]

Quite frankly I think it is a fantastic organization. Their goal is to spread awareness of depression, addictions, and self harm. They do things more activity, like council college students on how to promote awareness of these topics at their campuses. They do benefit concerts to help pay for these seminars to train college students. And the money from clothing sales goes to this as well.

I think it is fantastic that people can wear these clothes in public and people be able to recognize what it stands for and what it is against. Take for example self harm, there are so many people who self harm, but rarely anyone talks about it because people carry so much shame about it. So to be able to see someone where that shirt proudly, and openly, it really amazes me. Because you have to come pretty far to be able to wear that shirt and make a statement.

[Chaos Theory]

Originally Posted by 3.1415926535897

Because there is no physical appeal to it? =S

It is really suppose for the meaning, not for the physical appeal......It is to spread the message to those people who SH that they are not alone. :O

[Boobies]

Originally Posted by BelowZero

It is really suppose for the meaning, not for the physical appeal......It is to spread the message to those people who SH that they are not alone. :O

That may be, but you asked why it's unattractive...

[Chaos Theory]

Originally Posted by 3.1415926535897

That may be, but you asked why it's unattractive...

Well...I guess you win, LOL. :O I never cared too much about the appeal.

[TheNumber42]

Originally Posted by Lizzie

Quite frankly I think it is a fantastic organization. Their goal is to spread awareness of depression, addictions, and self harm. They do things more activity, like council college students on how to promote awareness of these topics at their campuses. They do benefit concerts to help pay for these seminars to train college students. And the money from clothing sales goes to this as well.

I think it is fantastic that people can wear these clothes in public and people be able to recognize what it stands for and what it is against. Take for example self harm, there are so many people who self harm, but rarely anyone talks about it because people carry so much shame about it. So to be able to see someone where that shirt proudly, and openly, it really amazes me. Because you have to come pretty far to be able to wear that shirt and make a statement.

This is pretty much what I was going to write, only clearer.

[eaty]

Lizzie already said a lot of what i was gonna say but not all of it.

I am a big support of TWLOHA. People seem to not fully understand it.
It is not ONLY for SH. It covers a LOT of stuff, Depression, Suicide, Drug abuse. All of those things, and more. SO many people think it is JUST about SH, but it isn't.

It supports itself, the money it raises goes to itself to help continue what they are doing i believe. Right now they are working on IMalive, which is gonna be the first online suicide helpline that is through instant messaging with trained people, they are using money they get to help set that up.

Their point is to bring awareness about this stuff, to remind people they aren't alone in their struggles. To help people want to speak out. One of the colleges in my city has one of the TWLOHA college branches. They are there to try and encourage people to get help, Almost like we do.

Personally i own some of their shirts, i wear them a lot and speak about it to people when they ask. I have seen other people wear the shirts in my area, i have worn it and have had many people comment on it.

[Audacious]

I love TWLOHA. Unfortunately their shirts don't come in plus sizes and stuff so I can't wear them (the[Edited by Cas*] fits my teddy bear) but the majority of my school wrote love on their arms on the day this year and it really connected us as friends.

[her_beautiful_mistake]

Originally Posted by XhopeIsrealX

its not shady, if you go to their website you can read the story about how it all started

That's not what I meant. The story, the meaning, etc... all great. In reality a lot of their funds are unaccounted for and allegedly support anti-homosexual movements (after all it is religiously affiliated). So in terms of money it's pretty shady and not very open... I'm not sober enough to put this acrross clearly..

[LucyLouWho]

TWLOHA have cool t-shirts, a cool story, cool website all of that. SH, depression, etc. is not cool. And that's what they're making it look like. And for those who haven't started to SH yet, I would think, are encouraged to start by TWLOHA.

[TheBabyEater]

I get incredibly annoyed when people wear the shirts or hoodies because all their friends are doing it or because they fit all nice and tight to show off how 'amazing' their body is and... Well sometimes I feel like punching something in the face.

But all in all, I support their goal. Which is to spread awareness of depression and SH and all that stuff to let teenagers know they they're not alone when they're dealing with it. I heard that they do other stuff too, like someone mentioned above.

Whether or not it is a 'shady' corperation? Does it matter?

In a way yes, I suppose it would be a big slap in the face to everyone who supports them, but the message still got out there, did it not?

That being said, I don't own any shirts and don't really plan on spending the money to do so. I've also ever written "love" on my arm... once maybe, and that was half way through the day because I'd forgotten earlier. so I don't actively participate in the days or events or anything, but it's not that I don't like TWLOHA.

I just don't like how it's become a trend. Mostly because half the time, the girls who buy those shirts rip out the tag without even reading it.
Or it's just their way to pretend like they give a damn and have a soul.






No offense lol I can say that because I know that no one on TH is soulless. tehe

[Casey.]

I support what they stand for, although not to sure if I support them. I do want one of the shirts, but for the meaning it has to me. And, I've never participated in a day, but I love writing 'love' on my arms.It doesn't matter if they are 'shady' or not, it's what it stands for. Although, I do agree it might also cause some people to start doing those things, but that's just like TH. People will get ideas to do things from everywhere.

[MadPoet]

Originally Posted by MrsCVBerg

TWLOHA have cool t-shirts, a cool story, cool website all of that. SH, depression, etc. is not cool. And that's what they're making it look like. And for those who haven't started to SH yet, I would think, are encouraged to start by TWLOHA.

They wouldn't get this impression if they actually took the time to learn about the organization. They're goal isn't to make SH look cool, it's simply to show others that they are accepted as they are, and that they will not be judged when they choose to get help. I can see how some would assume that "SH is cool," but the people who truly look into what TWLOHA stands for, they won't have that assumption any longer.

[Gidig]

I love To Write Love on Her Arms.

A lot of people at my school get into it. And what happens on the special days, is people ask why you literally have "Love" written on your arm. Then you tell them, and they usually end up looking it up online or on Facebook or something. They get curious and learn more about teen suicide and self harm, and participate and spread the word even further.

Another tool I've found it works for, is at school when I see someone wearing a TWLOHA shirt I know I can talk to them about things. One of the only people who lives near me who I talk to about things like that, we started talking because of her shirt.

I like how they also support other organizations such as the Suicide hotline.

It's okay if you don't like the organization, as long as you respect that your opinion and beliefs may differ from someone elses.

[PutYourHeartsUp]

I like TWLOHA, however I see a lot of people who "support" it that if they ever found out someone they knew self-harmed, they'd FLIP. I had one of my friends, while wearing a TWLOHA shirt mind you, say that anyone that SHs should be put in a mental hospital.
I still plan on buying a shirt or two, and I support it, but I'm not obsessed.
And it spreads awareness, that's enough for me.

[Thirteen]

Originally Posted by ElfPunk

I like TWLOHA, however I see a lot of people who "support" it that if they ever found out someone they knew self-harmed, they'd FLIP. I had one of my friends, while wearing a TWLOHA shirt mind you, say that anyone that SHs should be put in a mental hospital.
I still plan on buying a shirt or two, and I support it, but I'm not obsessed.
And it spreads awareness, that's enough for me.

You should tell that friend to stop being a poseur and look into the cause, or stop disgracing it.

[l0stCause]

me and some friends at school use to actually write love on our arms usually near our scars the idea was the same but without all the comercial hype its about showing ppl who do sh that they aint alone that ppl do care and its about spreading awarness to ppl of how big the actual sh problem is