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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: 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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Ally_A Is there help?
  • replies: 7

I am really low and my dr referred me to a suicide prevention service. I had a call today and the person seemed surprised that im at work. Does people not understand that you can be depressed and still work? I feel like people who are suppose to help... View more

I am really low and my dr referred me to a suicide prevention service. I had a call today and the person seemed surprised that im at work. Does people not understand that you can be depressed and still work? I feel like people who are suppose to help has no clue!

AngusR Job search troubles
  • replies: 1

I've had a rough couple of years lately, but I have recently felt like I've bounced back, I'm chipper and willing to be active and everything.That was atleast until I started looking for a job. I'm not looking for anything prestigious, just manual la... View more

I've had a rough couple of years lately, but I have recently felt like I've bounced back, I'm chipper and willing to be active and everything.That was atleast until I started looking for a job. I'm not looking for anything prestigious, just manual labour work, using my body to work, like I have my entire life.My parents keep hounding me that there's so many jobs available and it's a job boom atm, but seeking a job has been the most demeaning experience I've experienced in a long time.20-40 applications applied daily, to base level construction work jobs, I'm literally willing to do anything for anyone but no one will even contact me.Am I really so unremarkable ? So useless ? I feel utterly hopeless at the moment, a hole I can't get out of, I feel like dying immensely.

Pamela_LL Moving forward
  • replies: 2

Two years ago, I was in a downward spiral that I never thought I’d find myself in. Over the space of 6 weeks, I ended up in hospital 4 times - after trying to commit suicide. I have suffered from depression and low self esteem for years. I thought th... View more

Two years ago, I was in a downward spiral that I never thought I’d find myself in. Over the space of 6 weeks, I ended up in hospital 4 times - after trying to commit suicide. I have suffered from depression and low self esteem for years. I thought that I would be someone to end up in a hospital, I felt like my world had collapsed and there was nothing else to live for. One morning, after waking up in the hospital again I had to call my boss saying I couldn’t come into work. The surreal world of a mental breakdown had now become a reality. I made a decision that day that I wanted to live, I had to live. The shame is overwhelming at times. I feel as though I have this other side of me, that no one knows about. That if they knew the real me, my façade would be over. How do do you forgive yourself for scaring the people you love? How do you wash away the shame? What does life look like after attempting suicide?

Leraun90 Feeling lost
  • replies: 6

I feel like I have heaps of people around me for support yet no one at the same time. I have lost all clinical support as most services only run for a few months at best. I don't feel like I can tell anyone how I really feel. Or what I need when I do... View more

I feel like I have heaps of people around me for support yet no one at the same time. I have lost all clinical support as most services only run for a few months at best. I don't feel like I can tell anyone how I really feel. Or what I need when I don't even know what I need. All I know is im over living in constant pain. Never seeing an end to this tunnel. I know I need help but I care too much about others to burden them with the thoughts I have in my head. I just want to hurt myself and end all my pain and suffering permanently.

chatterboy i cant stop thinking about ending my life on this earth
  • replies: 2

i just keep thinking about self termination every time there's a problem in my life i just think about killing myself i always act happy just so others don't have to think about me ive Self-harmed and did dumb things just hoping i would die i think a... View more

i just keep thinking about self termination every time there's a problem in my life i just think about killing myself i always act happy just so others don't have to think about me ive Self-harmed and did dumb things just hoping i would die i think about joining the military to die hurting myself on a daily basis i just needed to say these things to someone i might do this again but who knows.

richo85 Anger
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have a 4 year old daughter and 5 month old son. Every time my son crys which is constantly, I feel so angry. This then makes me want to hurt myself for even feeling frustrated with him. So many emotions all dark. I dont know how to deal with it... View more

Hi, I have a 4 year old daughter and 5 month old son. Every time my son crys which is constantly, I feel so angry. This then makes me want to hurt myself for even feeling frustrated with him. So many emotions all dark. I dont know how to deal with it.

_Kai Suicidal thoughts
  • replies: 2

It’s literally 2023, we’re 16 days in and I already self-harmed, I’m having such bad suicidal thoughts, it’s yeah. I don’t know how to tell someone “hey I feel like an absolute disgrace, I want to end my life so badly, I wanna self-harm to the point ... View more

It’s literally 2023, we’re 16 days in and I already self-harmed, I’m having such bad suicidal thoughts, it’s yeah. I don’t know how to tell someone “hey I feel like an absolute disgrace, I want to end my life so badly, I wanna self-harm to the point I’m sent to the hospital.”

bek75 Lost
  • replies: 3

Can anyone else relate to thoughts in your head telling you ‘ I’m done’?

Can anyone else relate to thoughts in your head telling you ‘ I’m done’?

Blooming_gloomy Ending my life but not suicide
  • replies: 2

I just want my pain to endI'm tired of trying to numb the painI am tired of drinking myself to sleep every nightI'm tired of that deep hole in my heart weighing me downI want to die without killing myselfI just wish my physical pain would drown out m... View more

I just want my pain to endI'm tired of trying to numb the painI am tired of drinking myself to sleep every nightI'm tired of that deep hole in my heart weighing me downI want to die without killing myselfI just wish my physical pain would drown out my mental pain I've literally had the shittest luck in life.Sexually abused for years as a young child.Never been in a relationship.Every guy in my life has told me I'm not good enough.I dropped out of school because I got sick.I'm bedridden most days with an unknown illness.The people I used to be close with have got busy lives and I feel like a burden when I talk to them.It's just me and my problems and my heavy heart!

Ely_ Scared of my thoughts
  • replies: 5

I don't know what to do.I have been fighting increasing self harm and sui thoughts. As with a lot of people the holiday season is difficult, as is having to be around certain people at family events for christmas. Tonight I am finding really hard as ... View more

I don't know what to do.I have been fighting increasing self harm and sui thoughts. As with a lot of people the holiday season is difficult, as is having to be around certain people at family events for christmas. Tonight I am finding really hard as it is now 15 years since I was finally able to leave my ex, and that 'world' behind. It is unbelievable to me that 15 years ago tonight my life changed so much, and I can't even remember what occurred to make it happen.I have been attempting to stay distracted (this is my usual strategy). It is not working very well. For about 12 months I have been emotionally disconnected except for at times of stress. So at the moment I am not really used to feeling, and when things are coming up my instinct is to push them away however I can. It's not working though. None of my skills/strategies are helping. So my brain is turning to 'what else can work?'I have been repeatedly delaying. Thinking about my dogs, reminding myself of protective factors. I really don't want to let everyone down. Probably the thing that has stopped me. I'm so lost and confused in my own head, and so frustrated with myself. The intensity of the urge to harm is the strongest it has been in months, and I haven't had the other thoughts like this in over a year. I hate my brain.