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Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

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Sophie_M Do you have a safety plan?
  • replies: 97

Safety planning involves creating a structured plan – ideally with support from your health professional or someone you trust – that you work through when you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, feelings, distress or crisis. Your safety plan starts wi... View more

Safety planning involves creating a structured plan – ideally with support from your health professional or someone you trust – that you work through when you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, feelings, distress or crisis. Your safety plan starts with things you can do by yourself, such as thinking about your reasons to live and distracting yourself with enjoyable activities. It then moves on to coping strategies and people you can contact for support – your friends, family and health professionals. The safety planning model was developed in the US by suicide prevention experts Barbara Stanley and Gregory Brown. It has been used extensively by US veterans’ health organisations, hospital emergency departments and high schools, and there is strong evidence that it works. Many health professionals in Australia also use some form of safety planning to support clients experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings, or after a suicide attempt. beyondblue has an app you can use to create a safety plan, called BeyondNow. The BeyondNow app takes the principles of safety planning and makes it even easier to use – so rather than carrying around a piece of paper, you’ve got it on your phone at all times. It’s free to download from the Apple Store or Google Play. If you don’t have a smartphone or would prefer to use your desktop or laptop, BeyondNow is also available to use on our website. Do you have a safety plan? Do you have questions around how you might create one, or fill out some of the sections? This thread is for discussing ideas around creating a safety plan, and sharing tips about what has been most useful about this process for you. Below are two videos featuring Peter and Nic, who have both used safety plans successfully. Peter Nic

Sophie_M PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: posting in this section
  • replies: 0

Life gets pretty hard sometimes and many people in this online community have had times where they have thought about hurting themselves or ending their life. This can be a stressful and at times overwhelming experience, and this section is here to h... View more

Life gets pretty hard sometimes and many people in this online community have had times where they have thought about hurting themselves or ending their life. This can be a stressful and at times overwhelming experience, and this section is here to help members who have had these experiences. This is a place to share where you are at, seek ideas for help and know that you are not alone. We are here to create a safe environment for everyone. Please do not provide any details about any plans/ideas that you may have had to hurt yourself, and importantly, help us to understand if you are safe by letting us know in the post. Making comments that let us know that you are having thoughts, but are safe, helps us to know that your conversation can continue without interruption, and that we do not need to put any further follow up for you in place. This section will not be for everyone.It shows posts from people who are distressed, offers public replies to these posts, and encourages people to come back and share how they got past that difficult point in time - what worked, what didn’t and how they now approach these difficult thoughts. It is important to think about what you want from the forums, what information you need and what threads will be helpful to your situation, rather than reading everything that is posted. For some people this section might be difficult to read – if it is not helping how you feel, then please consider moving to another section. This section, like the rest of our forums, is closely monitored and all posts are reviewed by moderators before publication. Moderators will also ensure that anyone needing follow up will be provided with information about how to access further support. ​This section remains a discussion forum focused on helping each other through the dark times, it is not a crisis support service. Any posts that do not abide by the community rules will not be published. Unlike other areas of the forum, threads in this section will be closed after a period of one month of inactivity. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, assistance is not available via these forums. Please call Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467, Lifeline 13 11 14 or contact emergency services on 000.

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imbadwithnames Don't know how much longer I can put up with this
  • replies: 6

Isolation was so much better than this. I moved in with my family at the beginning of this week when I got out of mandatory isolation and so far I've had to see my racist bigotted transphobic brother twice, my dad has called me a failure, ugly and st... View more

Isolation was so much better than this. I moved in with my family at the beginning of this week when I got out of mandatory isolation and so far I've had to see my racist bigotted transphobic brother twice, my dad has called me a failure, ugly and stupid pretty much every day and keeps pressuring me like "what are your plans what are you doing" like, I got here 6 days ago, my stuff hasn't even arrived at the house yet, can you chill? I have just been in a house with abusive housmates for 2 years, and then spent half a year locked inside with them because of covid where the bullying escalated. I'm not ready, I have told him this, he laughed at me. I wore a mask to the shops and told me I looked like a *swear word* and laughed at me and basically bullied me for it. I'm just trying to feel comfortable and now I can't wear a mask anywhere because it makes me want to cry because of the things he said to me so now I have to be uncomfortable and unsafe. It's stupid. He is pressuring me to look for work when again, I literally just got here. Hell, I don't even have a windows computer to send my resume yet because again, my stuff isn't here yet. I am paying substantial rent, like not that much less than I was paying before, yet somehow my family can dictate what I have to do. I can't text while the TV is on, I can't stay in my room, I can't go out for lunch, I can't do anything. I feel trapped and I literally hate it here. I ran away from my family for a reason and the fact that lack of money is what brought me back is so crushing and my depression is perhaps worse than it has ever been. I'm lost and confused, and my family doesn't understand mental illness so they just think I am a lazy teenager and keep pushing and pushing and pushing and I'm already almost at my breaking point after literally 6 days. I'm sick of being bullied, talked down on and pushed around literally everywhere I go. I just want to run away and move cities/countries but I don't have money. Money is the bane of my freaking existance. My brother and my dad are the same, they say biggotted borderline masoganistic shit to me as a "joke" but it's not funny and it's really hurtful and already makes me feel worse about myself than I already do, which I didn't think was possible. I can't be here.....

Kate40 Ending a relationship
  • replies: 3

In the last 3 years ive lost my mother to cancer, I’ve had breast cancer, a frozen shoulder, chronic lymphodema, my youngest child has ADHD and oppositional defiance Disorder and amongst this my so called husband and have not had a sexual relationshi... View more

In the last 3 years ive lost my mother to cancer, I’ve had breast cancer, a frozen shoulder, chronic lymphodema, my youngest child has ADHD and oppositional defiance Disorder and amongst this my so called husband and have not had a sexual relationship in 7 years. He says I am angry and bitter and that’s why he’s no longer attracted to me but maybe I am) but on top of everything that has happened as well as suffering from severe depression I feel quite disliked and rejected as a woman and feel like he treats me like one of the children. I’m so lost between the cancer and the sexual rejection that I don’t know what to think. Part of me feels like I deserve an adulr relationship and part of me thinks I should end it all as clearly I’m a horrible person.

imbadwithnames Help
  • replies: 3

I have been suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD and social anxiety all clinical level along with suspected autism for a long time, including suicidal tendencies. I hate social gatherings and I have been dragged to my father's friends place for n... View more

I have been suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD and social anxiety all clinical level along with suspected autism for a long time, including suicidal tendencies. I hate social gatherings and I have been dragged to my father's friends place for new years. They then began to lecture me about what I am doing next year and telling me I was stupid for doing this and I should be doing x and y instead. I have serious mental hurdles with people controlling me due to abuse in the past and I just want to finally be able to make my own decisions due to getting away from my abuser. I started crying and am seriously struggling in this random house surrounded by people I don't know, and I have begun my normal self harm while sitting in a corner. I'm upset, I don't know these people, and I want to go home but I can't because dad drove in his car. I know dad will also yell at me for "embarrassing me in front of his friends" when it was then attacking me when my body language was clearly saying stop. I don't want to be alive and I'm sick of everyone. Noone understands mental illness and I'm just so sick of everything. I dont want to be here and I just want to run away. It's new years, and this is just showing me next year is gonna be as trashouse and I can't last through another year of this. I don't know what to do.

Lost81 TPD psychiatric illness
  • replies: 2

Hi all I’m after anyone who has experienced claiming a TPD for a psychiatric injury. I’ve been off work almost 12 months and now on Workcover after having appealed my claim due to it being rejected the first time even though IME report proved work wa... View more

Hi all I’m after anyone who has experienced claiming a TPD for a psychiatric injury. I’ve been off work almost 12 months and now on Workcover after having appealed my claim due to it being rejected the first time even though IME report proved work was the significant cause. I did claim income protection for a few months at first until my appeal had gone through and was approved in my favour after 6 months. I’m seeing my psyc fortnightly and GP and on medication. I suffer severe depression and anxiety from what had happened to me by my employer. My mood is severely low and think about suicide most days. I’ve denied this to my GP and psyc as I’m scared they will admit me and tell my family. I’m 40 years old and I can barley leave the house on my own. My TPD is worth over $700k. I did email my super case manager a few months ago about TPD process and they emailed me back a fact sheet etc. I know at this stage I’m in no position to return to any employment and Workcover ends end of 2021. Had anyone else gone through something similar? Everyday is a struggle and I can’t get over what my ex employer did. I was a highly successful earning big $$$ and this has totally destroyed me and my confidence. My career was ripped from me.

Guest_1453 ..nye is always hard...
  • replies: 3

Struggling with not doing self harm this is a coping mechanism I have been dealing with for many years and nye in particular is really difficult as my mum passed away on this night in my mid 20’s and it’s been a hard 10yrs without her..my self harm t... View more

Struggling with not doing self harm this is a coping mechanism I have been dealing with for many years and nye in particular is really difficult as my mum passed away on this night in my mid 20’s and it’s been a hard 10yrs without her..my self harm throughout covid has been particularly bad as my family moved to qld and I am by myself in nsw..

Di76 Why do I do it
  • replies: 21

Im not sure im even posting this on the right forum. Please tell me if its not. Hi.... so... upfront.....I have not read through many posts. Im sorry. I just thought I needed an outlet. Dont even know where to begin. Im 44 years old. I have a great (... View more

Im not sure im even posting this on the right forum. Please tell me if its not. Hi.... so... upfront.....I have not read through many posts. Im sorry. I just thought I needed an outlet. Dont even know where to begin. Im 44 years old. I have a great (although very stressful) job. 2 grown kids i love. 1 granddaughter I adore. Dating an amazing man for just over 7 yrs. Lost my sister 2 yrs ago from pancreatic cancer. That's when my life fell apart. The hurt is unbearable. Just the last few months.....I self harmed. I had no intention to end my life. I just maybe wanted physical pain to take away the emotional pain.

Kailani When does Mental Health Triumph Career Opportunities
  • replies: 5

Hi, I want to talk about something that plays on my mind a lot and I would appreciate any insight or advice from this community. One of the main reasons I am hesitant to seek help is because of my future job opportunities. U see the field in which I ... View more

Hi, I want to talk about something that plays on my mind a lot and I would appreciate any insight or advice from this community. One of the main reasons I am hesitant to seek help is because of my future job opportunities. U see the field in which I am studying and hoping to attain a career in values mental health immensely. The jobs I am looking at require a mentally stable individual and when u apply for them your mental health records/history are looked into. Previous mental health experiences or records can have a significantly negative impact on the prospects for jobs in this field. Fyi the companies providing the jobs in this field have the legal permission to conduct in detail background checks which include mental health. They are in no way breaching anti-discrimination laws or legislations. Now to get to my point one of the main inner conflicts I constantly think about is whether or not I should seek help (realistically I need help) and essentially reduce my job opportunities for the future or deal with things on my own so that I can still attain jobs in this field. I guess I just want to know your opinions on this issue. Is mental health more important? Or should my dream jobs be more important? Thanks in advance for any advice. I hope u are all well.

Fade2black I don't know where to go, which way to turn. I only see one realistic way out.
  • replies: 7

Hi, This may be theraputic. Dunno. I don't talk with anyone. I am approaching the greatest crisis point of my miserable life. 4 years ago, my wife of 15 years and I bought our first house, with a large mortgage. 'Twas made possible by the generosity ... View more

Hi, This may be theraputic. Dunno. I don't talk with anyone. I am approaching the greatest crisis point of my miserable life. 4 years ago, my wife of 15 years and I bought our first house, with a large mortgage. 'Twas made possible by the generosity of my mother who basiacally 'advanced' me part of my inheritance. It was a dumb move. We've had a troubled relationship due to never truly being 'in love'. First child was very early in our relationship. Second was a combo of trying to save our flailing relationship, and so our oldest wouldn't be on his own when things fell apart. I'm not without fault, I know. Wife is a control freak with bad anger. So I go along with stuff just to keep the peace. Because I didn't want to ever miss a moment with my kids. We're both bad with money. On the few occasions I've managed to save, she's found it and drained it. Last time was about 3 years ago. Didn't say anything either to keep the peace or because I'm a coward. Both. She would somehow lay the blame at my feet. I was diagnosed with depression years ago & put on meds. I eventually stopped the meds accidentally and felt a fog lift. The diagnosis surprised me as I've always felt how I've felt. Two years into the mortgage, we separated. But remained under the same roof. Earlier this year she had a life-threatening medical episode that has her re-evaluating life, and wanting us out from the same roof. Either sell or rent out the house. Some news yesterday about her life expectancy (which she will not share with me) has seen that come to a head. I've never been driven or decisive. And this is my downfall. I'm $10k in credit card debt. No savings. An average-wage level job. If I had to move out, I'd be sleeping in my car. Our mid-teen daughter wants to live with me. The ex accepts this, but flew off the handle at me for 'swanning around pretending to be the perfect parent', and throwing my mistakes from over a decade ago in my face. I don't think this is true - I'm just nowhere near as strict, impatient or demanding as she is. When she mentioned the life expectancy thing, it was about wanting to be sure our kids would be fine in the future. The only reason I'm still breathing is the kids. This life expectancy stuff has thrown a spanner in my works: it makes my ultimate solution impossibly harder because I can't leave my kids facing the prospect of not having either parent. So, I'm stuck here. I'm the epitome of an abject failure. I have no idea how I can see this through.

rosesentity i don't know what to do
  • replies: 2

i have had suicidal and self-harm ideations/tendencies since i was 11. that was the age that i attempted both for the first time. it is 5 years later now, and the thoughts have never stopped. i have continued to self-harm and attempt to end my life s... View more

i have had suicidal and self-harm ideations/tendencies since i was 11. that was the age that i attempted both for the first time. it is 5 years later now, and the thoughts have never stopped. i have continued to self-harm and attempt to end my life since then, and nobody in my life is aware. it has gotten so much worse recently, as my eldest brother passed away earlier this year. the damage it has caused me and my family cannot be explained with words. since then, more things have happened. i have had family members in the hospital for all sorts of reasons, as well as my dog i have had ever since i was a kid passing away too. i am just in so much pain and i am so, so tired. i have also learnt that as of 4 hours ago that i was voted 'least liked' in my group of closest friends, by them. just typical teenager girl things right? i have seen school counsellors throughout my highschool days, but none of them helped or cared about my problems because nothing had 'happened to me'. now that multiple things have, throughout the space of one year, i have tried to see a therapist outside of school so i could talk to someone about these thoughts that i have. it was brought up with my parents, yet it seems to have been forgotten about. i don't want to bring it up again because they have suffered enough this year, and i don't want to add the burden of telling them that i have wished to have been dead for 5 years. i have told my friends the amount of pain i have experienced and am still going through, but i really don't think they care. the thing is, i know that if i ever end up seeing a therapist i will lie to them. i don't want to get into trouble for what i think and feel. i don't want to make my family worry. i just don't want to be here anymore, more than ever. i really don't know what to do. i am so young and i don't think it's fair. i am so angry.

Di76 Newbie.
  • replies: 2

Im not sure im even posting this on the right forum. Please tell me if its not. Hi.... so... upfront.....I have not read through many posts. Im sorry. I just thought I needed an outlet. Dont even know where to begin. Im 44 years old. I have a great (... View more

Im not sure im even posting this on the right forum. Please tell me if its not. Hi.... so... upfront.....I have not read through many posts. Im sorry. I just thought I needed an outlet. Dont even know where to begin. Im 44 years old. I have a great (although very stressful) job. 2 grown kids i love. 1 granddaughter I adore. Dating an amazing man for just over 7 yrs. Lost my sister 2 yrs ago from pancreatic cancer. That's when my life fell apart. The hurt is unbearable. Just the last few months.....I took a knife. I had no intention to end my life. I just maybe wanted physical pain to take away the emotional pain.