topic Coping in the emergency department in Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 18:20:20 GMT

Sometimes in mental health crisis's we end up in the emergency department. And that totally ok, being safe is important.
but how do we cope with our crisis while waiting?
What are some helpful strategies you have found useful during your stay in the department?

I often get stuck in the emergency room waiting room overnight due to the fact there is no mental health team 24/7 where I live. I'm really struggling being here tonight. My usual strategies of listening to music isn't really working so I'm wondering if there is anything else I should try. Please note my concentration and attention is limited due to being in crisis. I feel trapped and stuck.
I wish lifeline text was 24/7 coz I could really use someone to talk to. Are there any other online options as I cant really call someone due to the nature of a waiting room.

Coping in the emergency department

white knight — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 21:46:10 GMT

Hi, welcome

Sorry to hear of your bad night. Here is some options

Phone a friend that doesn’t mind talking even in the middle of the night, have a short chat, not too long though, you might get some reassurance
YouTube videos. I like music also, I find different styles of relaxation music grabs my attention like - prince of equator pan flute unchained melody. Also google- YouTube Maharaji Prem Rawat sunset....and any other of his many videos.
walk. Up and down the waiting room, don’t temain idle
talk. I was once in a depressive state in a waiting room and I saw a little 4yo girl that was ill, in her mothers arms, so I gave her some attention, no easy- google- beyondblue topic the good samaritan

Thats all I can think of.

Hope it helps and you feel better soon

TonyWK

Coping in the emergency department

lights_will_guide_you_hom — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 23:54:39 GMT

Hello,

I just had an emergency trip to the hospital for the same reason two weeks ago, so I 100% empathise. In moments like these, you need IMMEDIATE support, and lack/presence of that can actually make a massive difference.

Now that I have had some distance from the event, I have a liiiiiidddddle more perspective.

I can offer some suggestions:
1. Have a safety plan ready. There's an app called Beyond Now, use it. List some contacts for those situations.
2. Physically change your situation to snap yourself out of it. Take a shower, a run, dip you head in cold water. Anything to jolt your awareness out of the ruminations going on inside your head.
3. Have any app/ breathing meditations audio ready, and do focused breathing. Continue until you have some distance from the thought.
4. Keep a "hope box" (virtual one is also finder)- of things that tie you to life, ready for these situations.
4. Use an AI app to talk to, if nothing works. I have never used them personally but heard great reviews.

I hope that helps. I am really, really sorry you had to go through this. Please keep communicating- even this support counts. Maybe you will form neural networks from reaching out here that will take charge the next time thoughts or self-harm activates, who knows? I am more than happy to keep communicating here.

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Fri, 01 May 2020 15:31:19 GMT

I give up...what the point tbh.

Coping in the emergency department

Sophie_M — Fri, 01 May 2020 16:28:24 GMT

Hi Centaured,
Sounds like things are difficult for you at the moment. If you are at risk of self-harm or if you are feeling suicidal, we would strongly urge you to seek professional help as it is really important that you take immediate steps to keep yourself safe. If you need help finding out how to access support, we’re available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport. One of our professional mental health counsellors at our Support Service will give you support and point you in the right direction for help in your area.

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Fri, 01 May 2020 18:41:28 GMT

What's the point @Sophie_M

Coping in the emergency department

Sophie_M — Fri, 01 May 2020 19:44:04 GMT

Hi Centaured

Sorry to hear that thing have been so difficult for you, but want you to know that we are here to provide you with as much support, advice and conversation as you need. Our Support Service are trying to reach you via email as we are worried about you. Check back in and let us know how you're going when you feel up to it.

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Fri, 01 May 2020 20:02:24 GMT

I responded to the email...

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Fri, 01 May 2020 21:48:55 GMT

What do you do when "help" refuses to help you.

Coping in the emergency department

Sophie_M — Fri, 01 May 2020 22:51:31 GMT

Hi Centaured,

We're sorry to hear that you're not being helped. Please know that we are trying to contact you privately to offer some additional support.

If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000 (triple zero) as this is an emergency.

Lifeline is also a great crisis support line - 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Please also feel free to keep us up to date here on the forums when you feel up to it and you ensured your safety offline.

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Fri, 01 May 2020 23:01:20 GMT

Sophie I'm sorry to be bothering you guys. I just replied to the email now my phone got charged a little.

Im in the emergency room again. I'm gonna ring the helpline while I have long wait for the crisis assessment team because they had refused to see me overnight and they have other emergency cases.

Sorry for everything.

Coping in the emergency department

Sophie_M — Fri, 01 May 2020 23:16:00 GMT

Hi Centaured,

There is no need to be sorry at all, we are so glad to hear that you have sought help. You have done exactly as we would recommend and we think you are so strong. Best wishes for the day - we hope for you that it is helpful. Please know that we on the forums are all rooting for you and you can feel free to post back whenever you're feeling up to it.

Coping in the emergency department

lights_will_guide_you_hom — Thu, 07 May 2020 01:42:53 GMT

Hiii, just checking in if you are doing alright now?? I do hope you are. Please take care of yourself.

Coping in the emergency department

Guest_1643 — Thu, 07 May 2020 03:46:21 GMT

Hi Centaured

I'm sorry you are struggling so much.
I have often felt the way you do now, and have wanted so badly to have someone to reassure me or to just be a physical presence there.

I have a few things that have helped me but I don't want to overwhelm you.
I find coming on here pretty useful because I can write my thoughts into cyberspace, not sure if you've found it helpful so far but hope you will give it a try 🙂

That's hard that the ED doesn't have 24/7 mental health assistance. A few people here have mentioned that some ED health services aren't the best.

Do you use social media - find that helpful or hindering?
I hope you are okay and just wanted to let you know I care and hope to hear more about how you're going

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Sun, 10 May 2020 17:09:53 GMT

SerotononinGirl I ended up getting admitted last week.

Im really not ok tonight. I don't know what to do. I can't go back there.

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Sun, 10 May 2020 17:12:51 GMT

Sleepy21 the department of emergency is shocking for MH where I live. The emergency nurses are nicer than the psych team or the nurses in the psych ward.

I haven't used FB since covid started. Otherwise I use Tumblr.

Coping in the emergency department

Sophie_M — Sun, 10 May 2020 17:29:01 GMT

Hi Centaured

Sorry to hear that you are really struggling tonight. We want you to know that we are here to provide you with as much support, advice and conversation as you need. Our Support Service are trying to reach you via email as we are worried about you. Do check back in and let us know how you're going when you feel up to it.

Coping in the emergency department

geoff — Sun, 10 May 2020 17:40:48 GMT

Hello Centaured, we know what and how you are feeling, so you're not alone at all.

On here you have our support, that's something I only wished I had when going through this awful stage.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Coping in the emergency department

Centaured — Sun, 10 May 2020 18:03:43 GMT

Sophie_M

Ill be ok I guess. Worst is over. Its just my 4th night of no sleep. im not in a space where I can verbalize or talk. Or I would call.

Coping in the emergency department

geoff — Sun, 10 May 2020 19:32:18 GMT

Hello Centaured,

In the emergency department at the hospital and depending on what time you are admitted, you might have to speak to different doctors as they change shifts, and this is very unsettling.

Do you know when you maybe discharged and there are other contacts for you, depending on your age?

Geoff.