Children and adults around the world are experiencing depression in many degrees. This mental illness is extremely dangerous, especially if it escalates to self-harm. Sometimes depressed men and women chose to create a physical outlet for their emotional pain through cutting, scratching, burning, or other methods. What if there was a way to defend against it?

The Butterfly Project is a worldwide strategy to help people resist the urge to self-harm. If you experience un-welcomed thoughts and feel the need for a physical outlet, draw a butterfly in the area where you intended to self-harm. Your beautiful drawing becomes a ward and a reminder.

First and foremost, the butterfly can represent someone you love or someone who loves you. This person can be the mother who raised you, the brother who watched over you, or the best friend who always stuck by your side. Whenever you have the intention for self-harm, remember that they love you regardless of your flaws and imperfections, care about your well being, and could never imagine this world without you. This butterfly is a way for them to be there, placing a hand over yours, and telling you it's going to be OK.

Another thing the butterfly represents is you and your own bravery. It is dedicated to you and to shooing away the pain in life to bring on the beauty. The little drawing is a portrayal of life. If you harm yourself, the butterfly dies.

This simple coping mechanism goes long beyond butterflies as well. Some chose to initially draw a butterfly and then added to it with flowers, vines, hearts, and other beautiful doodles every time they had more bad thoughts and urges. Eventually, they had entire murals of life and love on their forearms. Another helpful mechanism was physically writing the name of a loved one – or your own – next to the drawings. It doesn't matter how it's done as long as it helps you to get out of a bad place.

Trying to cope with depression seems impossible, and for many, it looks like a dark tunnel with no light at the end. The butterfly project has proven to help so many people ward against thoughts of harming themselves. As someone who's had loved ones with depression and who has experienced it personally, I know there is an end and that it does improve. I can promise that many people worry about you, love you, and wish they could help. You are important, and the world would be very different without you, so always spread love and hope and life, even in the form of butterflies.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1 (800) 273-8255

Self-Harm Text Hotline

Text CONNECT to 741741

Depression Hotline

(866) 229-5930