Introduction to Martyna Halas, Author of 'Speaking Out About Self-Injury'

My name is Martyna Halas, and I’m very excited to join HealthyPlace as the new author of Speaking Out About Self-Injury.

Martyna Halas’ History with Self-Harm

I’m a sexual assault survivor. I have self-harmed, intermittently, since I was 17 years old. I’ve never openly admitted it up until now, even though I often speak about my struggles with depression and bipolar disorder. I feel there is a lot of shame attached to self-mutilation in particular, so I’ve been silent about it for years. Like many others who self-injure, I would always go to great lengths to hide my marks, and the thought of being “outed” would fuel me with crippling anxiety. If you’re nodding your head right now because my story sounds a lot like yours, please know that you no longer have to feel scared and alone.

I’m a recently-transformed, freelance writer who has lived and worked all across Europe. I’ve always been a creative spirit, so I’ve been writing and making music for as long as I can remember. Currently, I front an extreme metal band called Ascend The Hollow, and last year we released a critically acclaimed album called Echoes Of Existence. In my work as a lyricist, I mainly focus on mental health, so I feel grateful to be given a platform here to spread my message further. My mission, through my music and writing, is to break the stigma and empower others to share their stories.

Martyna Halas’ Goals for 'Speaking Out About Self-Injury'

Learn more about my view on self-harm here:

I believe a large part of the stigma surrounding self-harm, or mental disorders in general, is that the societal expectation is to disconnect from our suffering. As if to be vulnerable was to be weak. I feel this behavior is silencing us, rather than helping us recover. Our vulnerability is what makes us human, after all. Through my work here at HealthyPlace, I hope to inspire openness and conversation and eliminate the shame surrounding self-harm. I believe that, together, we can create a safe community where we can all grow in strength, heal our wounds, and leave our demons behind -- whatever they may be.