On average, a suicide happens every 16.2 minutes. Meaning that almost five deaths every hour and 120 deaths every day. The Butterfly Project is committed to helping people who self-harm. What started as a small blog on tumblr is now a huge anonymously run blog for those who need to share their stories and get help.
According to the project’s philosophy, people are to draw a butterfly on the body part that they are thinking of hurting. This project is motivation for the person not to hurt themselves. They can also name the butterfly after a loved one who wants them to get better, in hopes that this would give the self-harmer even more motivation to stay clean. Butterflies represent the natural beauty of the world. They are also seen as majestic creatures. So, if the person washes off their butterfly or harms themselves, that person would “kill” their butterfly, thus killing the beauty they vowed to keep.
Vast and fast paced, today’s pop culture has a more diverse audience, including many at-risk teens, fans, and individuals. Artists and professionals (actors, actresses) do care about their fandoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third leading cause of death in kids ages 15 to 24, so artists raise awareness about the suicide epidemic trying to be a positive influence for at-risk teens.
In support of the Butterfly Project, nevertakeitoff.com, run by Juliet and Tommy Simms with Andy Biersack allows pop culture to be a positive influence. The Love Not Cuts and Butterflies Have Knives bracelets for men and women are styles that promote The Butterfly Project. The Never Take it Off bracelet should be tied to the wrist while promising a vow on slip of paper that comes with the bracelet of choice, or one the owner would create on their own. Even if the bracelet comes off, the vow should be kept. Artists do in fact care about the people who support them in a very visible, stylish way.

If you or anyone ever need help, speak up. According to suicidepreventionlifeline.org, some signs (that are not always 100% noticeable) are:
Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.
Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun.
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
Talking about being a burden to others.
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
Sleeping too little or too much.
Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
Displaying extreme mood swings.
Not all cases are the same. You could be the deciding factor for someone’s life or death. You can be the reason someone lives. All it takes is one person to bring a person out of their darkest times. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is: 1-800-273-8255. Be a friend, save a life.