If you regularly use any social networking sites or attend music festivals you may have seen the iconic To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) logo. It is often worn on T-shirts by musicians or advertised online and at festivals such as the Vans Warped Tour. I for one have seen this logo frequently, but have never really taken the time to learn more about it.
It turns out that there is a lot of meaning behind the phrase. The name comes from a story written by the organization’s founder, Jamie Tworkowski, in which a girl struggling with addiction, depression and self-injury awaits admission to a treatment center. In the story, her friends stand by her and offer moral support. This is the very thing that TWLOHA seeks to do. Through their work as a non-profit organization, TWLOHA is “dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.”  TWLOHA exists “to encourage, inform, inspire and invest directly into treatment and recovery.”
One thing that sets this organization apart from others is that it is geared toward young adults. TWLOHA often takes a different approach to sharing its message. This year, TWLOHA’s main event will be taking off from Orlando, Fla. and hitting the road. The event is called “Heavy and Light” and features music from acts such as Underoath, Switchfoot and The Almost as well as spoken word poets and other speakers.
The TWLOHA team itself is very small and is operated by 12 members and a rotating cast of six interns, many of whom have personally chosen to promote the cause. One such example lies here, in our very own Elizabethtown College. TWLOHA Chapter Etown got its start this past October and is already working to raise awareness in the community. The group holds biweekly meetings in which they share conversation about a variety of topics such as stigma, depression, relaxation and self-care. The group will also hold an event Feb. 24 entitled “Love Moves 5K,” a benefit walk/run. TWLOHA hopes that through events like these and other future events such as open mic nights, more awareness and openness can be spread.
The primary goal of this cause is to share with all of us that we are not alone. There are people willing to help if we only seek it out. That is what To Write Love On Her Arms is all about. So buy yourself a T-shirt, wear it proudly and if someone takes notice, tell them what TWLOHA stands for.
For more information about how to get involved with Etown’s TWLOHA chapter, email TWLOHACHAPTER@etown.edu.