Visit: Alysha's PrayerThe Pain They Hide -- Self-Injurers Find Hope from ALYSHA'S PRAYER Studies show that over one third of teenagers and young adults have self-injured. More than half of people under the age of 25 who have contacted In Your Light Ministries stated that they either currently or previously self-injured. Of those, approximately 25% were males. The statistics regarding the sexual and physical abuse of our country's youth are both staggering and disturbing. Additionally, today's society is causing anxiety among women of all ages regarding body image issues.
Most cases of self-injury are unreported and go untreated. Why? It's a myth that people self-injure for attention. Real self-injurers do everything they can to hide their injuries. It's their secret shame. Some injure in hopes of leaving a scar. They have gone a step further -- they self-mutilate.
Across the country, counselors are hearing more and more stories about self-injury. Fortunately, as the stigma of shame is lifted, many self-injurers are coming forward for help.
The touching story of one brave survivor, has inspired the creation of a new Ministry: Alysha's Prayer. With the help of her mentor, Pastor George, Alysha will be an advocate for people who have self-injured, been abused, and/or struggle with disordered eating and need to know that there is hope.
"My goal in life is to help people who lived through their secret Hell, and help them find hope."
Alysha is also using both MySpace and the resources of In Your Light Ministries to share her testimony and offer hope.