Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

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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

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 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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Is it normal?

replies: 3

Hi, this is my first time trying this but I need some advice. I'm 16 and have had a history of SH since i was 12. I don't really know what started it. I have tried to stop but I keep going back to it, even when nothings wrong I just find myself relapsing again. I always feel like I'm being overdramatic when it comes to my mental health and feel like I'm faking the whole thing. Earlier this year I got diagnosed with anxiety and depression and had tried therapy but honestly it didn't help at all. I want to be able to tell my parents but they think that putting me in therapy solved all my issues and they are not people I feel comfortable sharing this with. As much as this is horrible a part of me wants to get worse and never recover. Is it normal to feel like this or am I just attention seeking? I've also many times found myself thinking about wanting to die but never having a plan. Like I have thought about most likely methods I would use but I never actively wanted to pursue any of them. Some were brief and some really strong. Last night i found myself having these thoughts in my dream. I don't want to die but I want to disappear. I have intrusive thoughts about hurting myself, but I don't know if its related. Am I even making any sense haha? there was a lot more that I wanted to say but I don't know how to put it into words. I really don't know what to do.

Can people really get better?

replies: 3

I am 54 yrs of age and I have suffered with a mental illness since I was 21 yrs of age. I just have a question. Can you really get better? Has anyone on here gotten better? I have been wondering lately what hope is there and why am I working so hard for something that is not achievable. I am safe today but not always. If you knew me you wouldn't think here is a lady with suicidal thoughts. I am good at hiding how I feel to protect others feelings. I have professional support but it doesn't help. I would probably say that the psychologist appointments make me feel worse. I have seen loads so don't really see the point in trying another and going through my story again. I just want to know, from other sufferers, if there really is some hope. Thank you for reading.

What's the point?

replies: 3

What do u do if you have:No supportVery little moneyNo familyNo friendsNoone likes me and I just can't connect to ANYONE, and I don't know why I'm this way. So what is the point!!!

Tired of living

replies: 2

Hi, Im a 39 year old male, and I'm sick of living. I can't think of any time in my life that I've been happy and wonder if I can even feel things like that. It's like im either apathetic or depressed, no positivity. I've tried a few things, but I struggle to see the value in continuing to struggle when there isn't really an outcome. I've just found a job after 6 months of being out of work after I had a breakdown and was unable to do my previous job (IT Industry). I'm really struggling with this new job too, and really don't know what to do if I can't get it working. It's hard to do anything or make a decision when I really don't care because I'd rather not be here at all. I' m not in immediate danger. Thanks for reading, Steven

Suicidal thoughts

replies: 4

I have a really good friend that I would always like to hang out with, but she always declines because she has to look after her nana . It gets me depressed when I can't hang out with her. I haven't seen her face to face in 3-4 years . I'm always texting her , we've been friends for almost 10 years now . Sometimes I think to myself, it's better I die because she doesn't have time for me. I struggle with depression and anxiety so it's been difficult. I have a prevention plan but it doesn't help and my psychologist isn't very helpful either , I've been to like 3 or 4 psychologists now tbh. I feel like this is my only safe space...not gonna lie...

Suicidal ?? Do not or perhaps watch movie Bird box

replies: 6

I have a toxic mother who hates me & just sent me a disturbing and uncaring email about myself & my big sister who committed suicide in December because of her life time of mental abuse. My sister begged me 2 months before she ended her life to move in with her so I could help her cope with our "mother" & I said no. Two months after I said no to moving in with her, my big sister ended her life, I feel so much guilt. This world is not for me and as soon as my little dog die, I will have nothing left to live for. I thought that my big sister committing suicide would bring my younger sister & my niece closer together as we have all have been poisoned by our "mother" & "grandmother" but no, it hasn't. I am watching music clips from all the saddest songs in my life, "Maggie May" my older sisters favourite song and others that make my cry because they remind me of how sad & pathetic my life is & why life is not worth living. . Thanks for your valuable time

Trying to overcome these feelings.

replies: 2

I have had anxiety and depression since I was little, I am now 39. I go through stages that I like to call "episodes" where my depression and anxiety are quite back but I have always been able to get myself out of it and into a better headspace. That was until September last year. I have struggled with some losses in my life( I lost our cat and that loss consumes me heavily to this day), my husband and I are dealing with a really nasty family member, we lost some family members, we lost another fur baby 2 months ago, I used to be sooo close with my sister she is my best friend( but I feel like we aren't close anymore) and I have really been diagnosed with a health issue that is taking some time to adjust to.I usually love going to see my friends and going out, but the last few months all I want to do is hibernate at home with our cats. Of last I have these thought of "What's my purpose in life"? I feel like no one really needs me. Which then has me thinking if I wasn't here although people would be sad at first, they would be ok in the end. My husband would have our cats and friends and in time could find someone else to spend his life with who has less issues, my parents have their new life in QLD with their close friends and my sister has her son and husband. I was without work for a few months and I recently got a job, which I thought would be great for my mental health and I would be able to help my husband financially, but I get such anxiety every day thinking about having to go into work. I can't sleep properly, I feel sick in my stomach, can't eat properly, end up with migraines. I feel like I'm not ready to face the world. I was hoping people could offer me some advice or techniques on how they get through this?!I used to have my own techniques and was able to overcome these feelings, but I feel I'm to far down and am struggling a bit this time round.

Benign Fasciculation Disorder - Hopelessness

replies: 15

Hi I'm Cindy and I am posting in here because I didn't know where else to post this. I am suffering from what I believe is Benign Fasciculation Disorder. It is an unknown disorder with what looks to be no treatment or no recovery (it will either go away, or it won't). It's a 'harmless' disorder that consists of twitching of the muscles 24/7. It might not be considered harmful but it is mentally draining, annoying and prevents me from sleeping at night with non-stop twitching. I've had this for 7 weeks now, insidious onset. No idea why it started. Doctors can't help me. I've had blood tests and my blood levels are fine. I am not Magnesium or other minerals deficient. They don't think it's MS or ALS. They say I'm 100% healthy. Doctors perscribe muscle relaxants to 'stop' the twitching at night but I'd rather not take them as they cause addiction, depression and other unwanted side affects. I have no idea if Anxiety, physical activity, stress etc causes it or if it just 'does it'. Some days it lets me sleep at night, other times it doesn't. I live day to day in fear of whether or not I'm going to get a good night's sleep. If I feel a twitch I panic. If I don't get a good nights sleep my mental health drops. I become hopeless and have thoughts of suicide. Hopelessness being "well no-one knows what it is, no-one can cure me, I might be like this forever. No one knows, no-one can relate, there's no hope, what's the point?" I'm trying Physio at the moment but even the Physio can only guess. I'm doing all these exercises which I think are not helping. They are just causing twitching in other areas of my body that I didn't have before. Now I have back discomfort from it. Yes it stopped a bunch of twitching in the knee area of my thigh, but now other areas of the same thigh are twitching. I'm here to find out if there are others with this condition and if so, what do you do at night to help you sleep through the twitching? I can deal with it throughout the day but not at night. I need to sleep!

Comorbid mental health

replies: 1

Hi. Ive never done anything like this but here goes. Looking for people with similar experiences that maybe have Bipolar and Dissociative identity disorder.. Ive got a long list of diagnosis and have been medicated for a bit over a year. sometimes I forget to take my medication. just one of those things. Despite the medication I am far from cured. Due to having many conflicting issues it is difficult to treat. I can see when im spiralling and when things are getting bad. My issue is reaching out for help. No-one understands or can relate. Im just looking for someone who may have spiralled down into their depressive state. Dissociated and have hurt themselves as a result. maybe im a little scared as I have never been in this state before and scared of myself. Logically I know that it wasn't something that I should've done however the other me was stronger at that time. And I was just a paralysed bystander watching while other me was in control. I don't often dissociate to this degree. It's a rare occurrence. but it seems each time is worse when it does happen.

Recovered and enjoying life

replies: 2

Hello all It was been more than 2 years since I attempted to take my own life and I thought I'd drop by to let you know that I have fully recovered and am enjoying life again. In May 2022, following my attempt, I was diagnosed with caregiver burnout. My adult son, who has autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and Bipolar II was still living at home. He is now in supported NDIS accommodation, and I am really enjoying having the freedom to do what I want, when I want. I had also been looking after my elderly parents. Mum had been thrown into psychotic depression from the Covid Lockdowns here in Melbourne and was a hospital admission. Dad had undiagnosed mild Alzheimer's and i hate to think how hard it was for Mum looking after him on her own. Long story short being a sandwich carer was just too much. Mum went into care in late 2021 and Dad followed soon after. I was falling into a carer role with Mum and ultimately, it's what did me in. My brother has taken on the carer role, and I am now able to just be her daughter. Dad, sadly, passed away a few weeks ago but he was 89 and it was peaceful, so I'm ok. I did all my grieving during 2021 while supporting him at home while Mum was in hospital. Bottom line, I accepted help and counselling following by a few months of therapy with a senior psychologist helped me enormously. I made a full recovery and got on with my life. Such help is vital if we are to recover from such a profound experience. Today I find it hard to imagine that I ever felt that bad. But I did. I ended up writing a book entitled, "Behind the shield of a strong facade: A suicidal crisis". Thanks for reading.

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 97

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

Is it normal? replies: 3

Can people really get better? replies: 3

What's the point? replies: 3

Tired of living replies: 2

Suicidal thoughts replies: 4

Suicidal ?? Do not or perhaps watch movie Bird box replies: 6

Trying to overcome these feelings. replies: 2

Benign Fasciculation Disorder - Hopelessness replies: 15

Comorbid mental health replies: 1

Recovered and enjoying life replies: 2