Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

This space discusses suicide and self-harm. Consider limiting the time you spend here. To use the section safely, read the pinned discussion.

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Sophie_M Do you have a safety plan?
  • replies: 96

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.

All discussions

FQ All alone getting crazy thoughts
  • replies: 2

Separated about a year ago. Have been secluded since. Only receive calls from work or those bloddy call centres.finding loneliness very difficult to cope with. Have nobody to turn to. Asked for calls I made for help fell on on death ears.waste all my... View more

Separated about a year ago. Have been secluded since. Only receive calls from work or those bloddy call centres.finding loneliness very difficult to cope with. Have nobody to turn to. Asked for calls I made for help fell on on death ears.waste all my money on online games. Not gambling. Recently been weighing up is it even worth sticking around. Have thought up several alternatives to end this miserable existence.

emilyrken Mental health in the workplace
  • replies: 4

I need advice on how to deal with my mental health and suicidal thoughts in the workplace. I work at a major brand supermarket and my boss bullied and manipulates me into working all the time and disregards my mental health because it’s “busy.” I alr... View more

I need advice on how to deal with my mental health and suicidal thoughts in the workplace. I work at a major brand supermarket and my boss bullied and manipulates me into working all the time and disregards my mental health because it’s “busy.” I already had depression before starting there but it has gotten so much worse and I have constant stress, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I am on track to say it’s a crisis of my mental health and I don’t know how to proceed in terms of working. I could apply for annual leave but knowing my boss who has no compassion or understanding for mental health, she will deny my request so she doesn’t have to do the work herself. has anyone been in this situation?

Trans22 Is recovery from long-term severe depression possible?
  • replies: 5

I've loving my life since accepting that I was born with a female mind (& male body), however I am struggling to overcome 40 years of depressions with almost daily thoughts/dreams for my life to end. As part of my attempt to heal, I reached out to a ... View more

I've loving my life since accepting that I was born with a female mind (& male body), however I am struggling to overcome 40 years of depressions with almost daily thoughts/dreams for my life to end. As part of my attempt to heal, I reached out to a woman that I went thought high school with (only person from school that I have ever reached out or responded to). I then spent the next hour in tears and wondering whether my mind has been damaged beyond repair.PS. I have a proven method of recovering from such situations - rereading my transition journal has always brought be back into the present.

Dan7991 Partner with bad mental health issues causing suicidal thoughts
  • replies: 1

Hi my name is DanIve been in a 3 way relationship for almost 2 years now with 2 guys, one I care about more than the other. He has been having serious mental health issues most of the time I have been with him, this has caused him to be cold and dist... View more

Hi my name is DanIve been in a 3 way relationship for almost 2 years now with 2 guys, one I care about more than the other. He has been having serious mental health issues most of the time I have been with him, this has caused him to be cold and distant going as far as making me stay away from him a month or two at a time, in the past year he has found someone whom he claims to not be in a relationship but is always giving him cuddles and buying him things constantly, he has told me he is the only person who has been able to keep him from committing suicide himself. I am stuck on the side barely getting any attention and he only ever texts me when he needs something, this has been ongoing and is causing my mental health to decline rapidly to the point where I have never been closer to suicide in my life. I feel so unloved and used and I don’t know what to do. I still love him to t he point it hurts

Robbie8 Apology not required
  • replies: 1

Mmm today I was so close to harming myself. Luckily I was able to find an available doctor to speak to. I sat in their office waiting room for nearly an hour non stop crying. I hadn't felt this way for many years and the talk helped. She made time fo... View more

Mmm today I was so close to harming myself. Luckily I was able to find an available doctor to speak to. I sat in their office waiting room for nearly an hour non stop crying. I hadn't felt this way for many years and the talk helped. She made time for me and acknowledged my distress at why I was upset. Being validated made me feel better. I will never apologise to a person that my friend is feeling they are being racist toward. Never. No matter how my boss forces me to do this. It upset me so much. They did not listen to my point of view. No one heard my voice that this is not acceptable no matter who it is against. Colleague or colleagues partner who my friend said that said these bad things towards them. I did not witness but no way in hell will I apologise for my friend that stood up to the racist comments. It is they that needs to apologise. NOT me nor my friend. No doubt I will recieve a written warning because I didnt apologise the way they wanted..

xcBellePepper 365 days.
  • replies: 2

There are just 24 days left of 2022. Each day that passes is one less that I need to survive. 341 days of survival. I can't call it living, I may be alive, but at this point I am purely surviving and even then only just. In my 34 years I have suffere... View more

There are just 24 days left of 2022. Each day that passes is one less that I need to survive. 341 days of survival. I can't call it living, I may be alive, but at this point I am purely surviving and even then only just. In my 34 years I have suffered from mental heath issues for about 19 of those. Over time, I have learnt coping strategies, ways of recognising warning signs and when to ask for help. In my late teens and early 20s, I went through a stage of self harm and risky behaviour. There were no suicide attempts, nor thoughts. Just a general feeling of being misunderstood and wanting to escape the world. My mid to late 20s, my anxiety became more prominent, I withdrew and self isolated. The suicide ideations began during this period, but I could never commit suicide, it wouldn't be fair on those around me. My early 30s were a period of great upheaval. They haven't been good years. There has been a lot of loss, people, places, jobs, things, the will to continue. I lost 2 different family friends to suicide in this period, and my own father was at times suicidal. My thoughts moved towards dying through accidental means or through terminal illness, something that wasn't my fault. At 34, the year 2022, for the first time I find myself spending the majority of the 365 days of the year, just surviving. I have considered suicide more days this year, than not. Whilst the thoughts are just thoughts. With no specific plan, I am fearful that with time that may change. I am fearful, that the thoughts will get too overwhelming and I'll make a snap decision. I'm fearful I won't survive another 365 days.

self_harm_sweetheart I'm New Here
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone.I am in so much pain, and so so lonely. I've had depression and extreme paranoia for about 6 years now, and have been self harming for about 2 years. I've been thinking of suicide a lot recently, but I don't think I will take any action ... View more

Hey everyone.I am in so much pain, and so so lonely. I've had depression and extreme paranoia for about 6 years now, and have been self harming for about 2 years. I've been thinking of suicide a lot recently, but I don't think I will take any action right now. It hurts so much. No one has been able to help me.I'd just like to talk to someone. Anyone. Anyone who is willing to just have a chat with me, to relate with me. I don't have anyone else to go to; no one in my life wants to know. Please, please can someone talk to me. I'm so lonely. I'm desperate. Please, anyone?

chloelilly_08 Me
  • replies: 3

Hey my names Chloe I’ve been feeling pretty unhappy recently and would like someone to talk to

Hey my names Chloe I’ve been feeling pretty unhappy recently and would like someone to talk to

rosemotion Overseas soon and I need help
  • replies: 6

I have a trip overseas in 3 weeks with some family friends, but no immediate family. The country I am travelling to is the only thing to complete on my very short bucket list. I was hoping for April last year of when to pass, but this did not occur. ... View more

I have a trip overseas in 3 weeks with some family friends, but no immediate family. The country I am travelling to is the only thing to complete on my very short bucket list. I was hoping for April last year of when to pass, but this did not occur. Reaching 18 was never something I had planned for, and now going to the one place I have always wanted to go seems like the opportunity for it. I can’t stand the thought of the phone call they will get. I still remember their faces when we lost my brother. I can’t help to both want this but fear it so much. I don’t want to but I want to so much. I can’t do this to my family again but when the time comes, and I am standing in the forest I have always wanted to, what will my mind decide? I am terrified and I feel so, so guilty. I love my family so much that it stops me, but I fear being alone with this opportunity. I don’t want to do this I promise, I need some help. I don’t want to tell anyone because this will set my family back far too much if they know. I think I will call my doctor in the morning