Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

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Welcome to the Suicide and Self-Harm Section

replies: 0

Hi there, Welcome to the Suicide and Self-Harm section of the Beyond Blue Forums. Life gets pretty hard sometimes, and many people here on the Forums have had times where they have thought about harming themselves or ending their life. This can be a deeply distressing experience, and this section is here to support members who have had these experiences. This section is not a crisis support service. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, assistance is not available via these Forums. Please call: Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 (24/7) Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7) If it is an emergency, contact emergency services on 000. This is a place to share where you are at, seek ideas for support 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. 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 the 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. If after a period of time you no longer wish others to engage in the discussion you have started, please use the 'Report Post' button and request the discussion be locked to prevent any further replies. Thank you for being here, we're glad you're here. Treat yourself gently as you read through this section. Beyond Blue

by BeyondBlue •

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Posted in Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

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a week ago

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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 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

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Not sure how to stop feeling suicidal

replies: 3

Hello, I’m new to joining but I’ve heard good things about beyond blue so I thought I’d give it a try. i suffer from severe depression and anxiety and have for about 9 years now. I’m only in my early twenties (yesterday was my birthday lol) so this should be the last thing I feel but unfortunately it isn’t. I’ve recently gotten out of a 7 year relationship it was very toxic and abusive - he cheated and abused me in many ways I’ve come to believe he is some form of a narcissist. I’m glad I got out and I’ve been seeing someone new which has been going well I really like him. But since finding out my last partner has also started to move on its effected my self worth as I did everything to try to make it work and he ended up leaving and will probably do things for her I always asked for. I know this will pass and I see a psychologist often but I still can’t shake the feelings of heaviness and that it would probably be easier for me if I wasn’t her as my hearts so heavy and I’ve gone through so much pain. I’ve never attempted and I don’t think I will anytime soon but the feelings won’t go away and are getting bad again. I wanted to see what people’s best coping mechanisms are besides the generic ones such as exercise and meditation etc. I’m also on antidepressants and have been again for about 2 years - they sort of numb it but not entirely. Any help is appreciated. It would be nice to go a day without feeling empty and sad lol. Thank you

New member who needs help helping a partner

replies: 2

Hi everyone! I have joined this forum to ask for help with my suicidal boyfriend. Me and my boyfriend have been having issues for months now and I have just today called it quits and broke up with him. He has been suicidal our entire relationship (2 years) and years before we met too. He is a 3 hour drive away from me at the moment, so I don't know what he has near him in terms of self harm tools or anything else which may be harmfull. I am just lost and don't know what to do. Nothing I say seems to get through to him, because he thinks I hate him and am just saying these things so that I don't have a guilty conscience. I love him and always will, my decision to break up never had anything to do with that, but with both of our toxic behavior affecting the other. I guess I am just here as a last resort, I dont know what I can do to stop him from going over the edge, especially being so far away from him and not being able to do anything to make sure his surroundings are safe for him. Thankyou in advance for any advice

Always feeling depressed in class.

replies: 2

I am not too sure where to start, but I am almost always feeling depressed. Particularly in class and at home. In the past week, I have basically cried myself to sleep every night and I just feel hopeless. I don't know where to get support (I'm currently typing this is class) and I feel too embaressed to talk about it with teachers at school or with parents. I am also constantly upset in class and my productivity is getting worse and worse. I have been worried about missing out on assessments and work. I am also taking anti-depressants but I feel that they haven't been working out lately. I have also been struggling alot with family. I feel that I want to hide and bottle my problems up and that suicide is the only thing that is left for me. I have a bunch of ways to calm myself down but none of them are available when I am in class. I apologise if this was kind of hard to read but I am always feeling like a mess. Russian_Red_Foxx

Recovering from an attempt

replies: 10

I am blank and whilst not unhappy that it wasn’t successful, I am absolutely petrified for the future. Who am I now? I feel the same worthlessness as before but even more. I’m getting all the help there is - therapist, meds, community health. I think... View more

Wonderful loving wife and thats the problem

replies: 21

Like I have seen so many others here write "I don't know why I'm writing this" as I know the only person that can solve this is me. I've suffered depression for 40 + years, medication has helped keep the worst of it at bay, there has even been long stretchers where life is really good and the thought of ending yourself seems incomprehensible, sadly 3 years ago the good times ended, the medication that had worked for 18 years failed, all medications tried since do nothing, ECT helped for a while but didn't hold which brings me to not wanting to fight anymore, 40 years is too long, easy solution . do what I should done years ago.I know how I'll do it, i'm ready to do it, I have no fear of doing it, problem solved except for my wonderful loving wife of 36 years. I end my pain and course her grief and pain so for the last 3 years I've just sucked it up even though every minute I'm awake I wish I was dead. What the hell do I do I dont want to hurt my wife but I can go on much longer. I wouldn't want my wife to hurt and grieve due to the betrayal of suicide.

It’s been a long time

replies: 16

Hello all . It’s been a long time since I felt the need to post . I guess that’s a bad thing to feel the need again . I feel lost alone etc what’s the point .

On the road back

replies: 21

I have a long history of depression and anxiety and some PTSD, i have struggled with it since i was a teenager, i have been off and on medication over the years, all different ones, and for some years i managed with out any medication, but over the last couple of months i have been spiraling down hill again, i had a loss of interest in everything i like doing before, i could not work out what i wanted to do, and then COVID hit and i was isolated for 3 months on my own, many times i thought about taking my life, as soon as i could i went to my parents place where my dad had been battling cancer for around 12 months, 3 days after i got there he died, mum seems to think he was just hanging in there till i could get there and see him one last time, he died at home with family around him, i watched my dad slip away, he looked peaceful, and more than anything i wanted to trade places with him, and the suicidal thoughts got stronger, i would wake up in the morning with really bad anxiety, by midday i was settled to a point and by night i would be in a deep depressed state.... i could not keep going like this, Yesterday i took my first steps to getting better, i went and seen a doctor, and have been put back on medication and have made a mental health plan and in one month i will be seeing a psychologist, today is just day 1 and i have taken my first tablet, i go back to the Dr's in one week to see how things are going.... i just wanted to share this with you all and i will try and keep you filled in on my progression in this post... for them that are in that dark place and don't know what to do, try what i have done and see your doctor, it can't hurt

stockpiled potential suicide material - is this concerning?

replies: 6

i told my psychiatrist and psychologist this and they are not worried, as I said that storing these items is a tangible representation of the control I do have in life, but I am scared that I will go through with it. i am scared

Struggling at work

replies: 22

Hi, So this is what is going on: In late 2017 my colleague resigned. We had both worked together on a particular job, and when she resigned they didn't get a replacement for a year so I was doing the job that used to be done by 2 people on my own. I went downhill very quickly under the workload, working crazy hours including some 16 hour shifts occasionally. I don't think people showed understanding that the job used to be done by 2 people and it seemed I couldn't do it well enough, the environment started to feel bad. Then when they finally did get someone in to help I had problems with her. I was still working really long hours, and it was really upsetting me to see her spending a really large portion of her day chatting and even taking 1.5 hour lunch break. I eventually began to show my annoyance and then things got even worse and everyone at work pretty much hates me. Things have been bad at work now for about 3 years. I am struggling very badly when I am at work with negative feelings. The feelings are so bad I think I need to end the pain and I am starting to plan that. The workload has decreased due to Coronavirus but I am struggling mentally and I can't get out of it. And before this so many things have gone wrong, it feels like everywhere I go people hate me and look down on me, I wouldn't even have the guts to reply to any ones posts as I would just think the person would think badly of me / what I say.

Suicidal 17yr old son

replies: 3

My son has recently been diagnosed with extreme depression & extreme anxiety. I am doing everything I can to be there for him. He is a great kid, never been into any real trouble. Has an apprenticeship, a car & a loving family. We are seing a psychologist for the first time today. Doc has put him on an antidepressant. He says he has several plans to kill himself but is worried they wont work or will hurt. I do not know what these plans are. I cannot help but be absolutely terrified wondering if today is the day he decides to do it.

Welcome to the Suicide and Self-Harm Section replies: 0

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 97

Not sure how to stop feeling suicidal replies: 3

New member who needs help helping a partner replies: 2

Always feeling depressed in class. replies: 2

Recovering from an attempt replies: 10

Wonderful loving wife and thats the problem replies: 21

It’s been a long time replies: 16

On the road back replies: 21

stockpiled potential suicide material - is this concerning? replies: 6

Struggling at work replies: 22

Suicidal 17yr old son replies: 3