What began as friends helping a friend has turned into an international outreach movement for people who struggle with depression, addiction, self-injury or suicidal thoughts.
The Reitz Union Board will feature "To Write Love On Her Arms," an event put on by a nonprofit organization of the same name, which will feature speakers, a question-and-answer forum and live music in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom on Thursday from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
"We're hoping that this event is enough to mobilize the campus to respond and get involved," said Sarah Madsen, a UF sophomore who is involved with promoting and organizing the event.
Jamie Tworkowski, who speaks at many of the group's events, founded the organization in Orlando in February 2006, according to the Web site.
The inspiration came from a friend named Renee who was turned away from a drug treatment center when she was 19.
Suffering from both depression and addiction, she attempted suicide, Tworkowski wrote on the Web site. With a razor blade, she carved an offensive, depressing phrase across her left forearm.
The group's name is a response to connote the opposite of what she "wrote" - love.
Having been personally affected by the movement because of circumstances in her circle of friends, Madsen is hoping to do more with the group.
"It's overwhelming," she said. "You don't realize how close it is to home until it's out in the open and people start talking about it. It's admitting that people are broken and that all the money in the world can't buy happiness."
To Write Love On Her Arms did not intentionally begin as a nonprofit organization, Madsen said, but the response from those who were in some way affected was powerful.
"It's hard for people to start talking about it because it's given this image of something people don't want to deal with," she said. "It'd be admitting there are some things beyond our control."
The group's movement to counter this thought has become Madsen's "banner."
"It's my way to put my hand against the wound and stop the bleeding and say, 'Everything's going to be all right,'" she said. "You want to just instantly heal them, but we can't be their savior."
The movement has reached people in every state and even in different countries, she said.
Although the organization does not specifically have counselors, one of the goals is to eventually offer immediate, live counseling online, said Aaron Moore, a professional counselor in Orlando, who is involved with the organization.
"It's kind of a cool deal to get to reach a lot of people," he said.
Madsen said the events and organization provides a sense of community and helps people be honest in saying they need help and love.
"I want them to find hope that inspires them to live a beautiful life," she said.
The board is also working with the UF Counseling Center to put on the event, and Madsen is compiling a list of Alachua County organizations that people can be referred to for help.
