About Scratch and Burn

The History:

People take risks. Many of them consider self-injury or starvation and even more have experiences with drugs, alcohol, sex, and shoplifting. These behaviors in themselves do not necessarily indicate a psychological disorder, but they don't exactly scream, "I'm well adjusted!' It may be that these risky behaviors are more suggestive of a child's inability to have adequate support during development, resulting in an ability to cope with daily life or communicate emotions. At least, that is the perspective I take. And that is why I created Scratch and Burn.

What is It?

Scratch and Burn is designed to be a place where people can come to learn, SHARE , and express anything that relates to self-injury. They can find books, research studies, art, creative writing, links, and more at this self-injury site. Scratch and Burn can also be a great way for people to find other self-injurers, or those who are in recovery.

Individuals can also SUBSCRIBE to an ezine that will email new information and writings to them each month. The ezine is an invaluable resource as it will provide a continuous support network.

About the Creator of Scratch and Burn

Chiki has an intimate connection with self-injury. She is a student who has actively engaged in learning about the behavior and she is a recovering cutter herself. The experience and insight she has gained is something that she is determined to share.

Chiki has known many individuals who self-harmed allowing her look at the behavior both subjectively and objectively. In addition to having friends who cut, Chiki has worked with at-risk teenagers who have shared with her their own risky adventures.

Having earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Colorado, Chiki began working on an M.S. in human development at Texas Tech University. Specifically she focused on adolescent risk behaviors and self-injury. Her education has given her the skills to communicate the complexities of this behavior to the general public and she intends to do so to raise awareness about self-injury. Davis has already begun speaking to students about self-injury in university classes and hopes that she is making a difference.

As Chiki is accomplished in this area, it is her intention to continue writing and publishing on this topic. In addition to publishing books on risk behaviors, Chiki sees herself as an integral part of the discourse on self-injury and she will continue to pursue opportunities to bring this behavior into public awareness.

At this point in Chiki's life Scratch and Burn is her number one concern, occupying nearly all of her time. Her degree in psychology and Masters work in adolescent development paved the way, while her publications in several consumer magazines further encouraged the fruition of this project. Now she is eagerly looking forward to publishing and promoting Scratch and Burn the ezine, and Scratch and Burn the book, hopefully spreading information that is inspiring, educational, and interesting.

In the future Chiki hopes to bring "silent killers" into public awareness, and she plans on writing about many of the hidden issues that are in need of attention.