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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Scared to tell my GP about self-harm

replies: 5

Hello,I’m currently going through the family law system. My son’s father has been out of his life for many years now but his paternal grandmother has taken me to court. This is my second time going back as I am seeking to have the orders changed due to the abuse I have suffered from that family. I had my son when I was very young and he is almost an adolescent now. I feel I cannot escape the abuse I suffered from his paternal family and am being re-triggered by past trauma and do not feel free to live my life how I choose. It feels like being in an emotional prison where I cannot escape the cycle of abuse. I have been a great mother to him and there’s never been any question about my ability to raise, love and care for him. Even though his father is not involved, I am still being bullied, spoken down to, lied about and slandered by the paternal grandmother and the court is telling me I have to continue to send my son there even though I am concerned he is being exposed to the same abuse I was as a child in that home due to what he has told me. It is extremely psychologically damaging to feel as though you can’t protect your child and your rights as a mother are being stripped from you. I am so exhausted and my mental health is at an all time low. I’m missing work, I can’t complete my studies, my relationship with my partner is strained. I’m so anxious I feel like I can barely leave the house and I am starting to feel without hope. I don’t know how to talk to my doctor about self-harm and the thoughts of suicide. I don’t want to die but I feel like I cannot escape and I am at the end of my rope. I’m scared it will hurt my family law matter to be honest about my mental state and I’m scared they will force me to go to hospital and my ability to parent will be in question. I cannot afford a psychologist and I don’t know what to do. Any advice would be very welcomed. Thank you.

Struggling to understand.

replies: 1

I have only being seeing my psych for about 8 sessions.I end up in tears in most.She believes I’m suffering from trauma from my childhood.I do agree just struggle to accept it.when I was a teenager I started shand I managed to stop.since I’ve started seeing my psych I’ve started again. All the memories and pain is flooding back.I use my self harm to cope.she said she found it strange that I was using painful self harm to deal with my emotional pain.I told her it feels like a different pain kinda good.im glad I managed to tell her but now she knows im also a little uncomfortable with her knowing.

New school and mental health 😫

replies: 2

I moved three months ago to a new school. Just a Lill back story a year ago I wasnt going to school till late next month I hadnt been to school for a year or so cause of bullying and my mental health was detiriating rapidly. I was homeless for a while in a mobile home then when the address got put on file police dcj and everyone started turning up every day multiple times a day . I started to get really upset cause I didn't want to go to another school and they kept pushing and my mental health started getting worse again . They didn't know that I was suicidal cause of it but I started having bad panic attacks every time they came. Fast Forward to October 4th I woke up and before annyone turned up I decided to try and end my life dad took me to the hospital and he warned them the whole time I wasn't doing well but nobody listened till I ended up in hospital. About two weeks after they managed to get me to go to school and what I was under the knowledge that I'd be going part time silly me they made me go everyday burnt me out so I started wagging school. Fast forward to this year I was going to the school not Verry often then got lectured about my attendance and I broke down Infront of the welfare teacher she didn't care cause she just sent me back to class . Now I'm at another school and they are starting to ask questions as to why I'm still wearing jumpers and trackies and I just say I'm comfy in them but it's getting hotter and I'm not doing well cause I'm now waging at my new school and I've been told if I don't stop I'll be on a suspension warning and I'm not 100% sure but I think they know what happened last year the thing is I've come a long way but it just feels like everyone wants to care once you are in pecies and when your not they don't care I don't want to talk about my problems to the school cause then they will start treating me differently and they already are saying to me oh are you going to leave school next year and it's sorta upsetting cause I want to complete school but I don't cause I'm just not getting annything done . And I can't help but remember this comment that was said oh you can't just go to wellbeing and sit there cause you don't wanna go to class you have to actually have a problem and most of the time I have multiple but it's just in my head that no one cares unless something has already happened then it's too late

Lifeless

replies: 4

I’m a 39yrs male. And feeling extremely low. With the end of life thoughts. I wish my head space was stronger. I tried to write a letter to myself on why I should be living. I could only muster one line. I feel like a burden to my tiny amount of friends. With my sad and bad energy. Today I was considering ending my life, escape the unhappiness I’m carrying. I wouldn't leave anyone upset they just have a happier life in place. Which I’m trying to do for myself. im feeling really tired, brain fog with no plan or purpose. quitting life has crossed my mind, but if I can manage to find a job that can support me maybe that can open up new doors. To a happier life My family is not a source of support. They make it worse for me. I don’t want to be another statistic. I’ve called beyond blue twice with really lovely people on the end of the phone. Full of kindness and care. i am doing my best holding myself together.

I can't do it, I give up!

replies: 2

Everything is so hard, I've lost so much and dealing with so much also in regards to mental health... Today I feel I'm at my wit's end, the stress and drama is too much, I give up! I'm not made for this world, I don't need to be in it! This isn't me ... View more

It’s a way out…..

replies: 3

Hi. I’m a 61 yr old husband of a woman who has embraced religion. (I wasn’t responsible)! For the past 6 years I have become more and more “behind her scenes” and was what a happy and loving marriage has become nothing more that a shell. I’ve written here before, a few years ago. I suffer anxiety and depression so it’s pretty hard for me at the moment to cling onto anything positive. Even my health is letting me down. And I’m fast heading for an ending, I’m not scared of dying, I’m scared of spending the rest of my days “discarded”. I’m a mechanic, I love to keep busy and I love to feel needed. But I’m now the house keeper, and yes, I’ve tried talking things through. But a higher authority wins hands down. Have seen several Psychs to not much avail… I s’pose I was looking for a fix, but that fix seems elusive GP is a good bloke, has done a lot to help me and has just changed my Anti depressants. I’m a bit of a loner now so don’t drink (can’t socialise down the pub) so really grasping at straws.

Tired of asking for help

replies: 2

Hi, I just want to vent. I’ve been having a hard few months with suicidal ideation and stopping myself from going throughI’ve been open and honest with my GP and psychologist but all I get is that “they’reconcerned for my well-being” but that’s it. Today my psychologist sent a referral to the acute team at my local hospital. I spoke to them and they referred me to safe haven and said “I’ll be ok”. I’m tired of being depressed and anxious and from now on I’ll just hide it. If you are struggling like me, please reach out to your friends and family. If you need a break go private. I’m going to try and fight these suicidal thoughts and pretend I’m ok. Don’t be like me though. Oh and I’m safe, no need to worry about me. Thankyou to beyondblue and everyone who did care about me. There needs to be more attention given to mental health from a government point of view. Take care - anonymous

Struggling

replies: 3

Hi I've been up and down with mental health issues for a while now. Depression, anxiety and self harm. I was going ok,but then I started drinking again more. Which is also an issue for me. Last weekend I did something really dumb and misused my medication and also self harmed also a few days ago, after drinking alcohol. I hadn't done that since last year. I have had lots of thoughts of wanting to hurt myself. I emailed my psychologist and told her. I also told my best friend and my husband now knows. I hate that I am disappointing and upsetting everyone. My doctor knows too, as my psychologist called her. I went to the mental health unit the other day and I spoke to a psychiatrist. It helped. Then I felt negative, drunk alcohol and self harmed. My doctor knows too. My husband now has control of my medication. Quire rightly, but I hate not having control. I must admit if I had access, I'd probably do it again. Just to hurt myself, not something else. I've taken this week off work too, to try and feel better. I've had sharp left side stomach pains the last 2 days. My husband wanted me to get checked out at hospital. I said I'm ok. Don't feel it's an emergency. I woke up feeling a bit depressed and decided I'm having alcohol. My husband definitely looked very disappointed. As alcohol is not at all helpful for my mental health and why I hurt myself. And I know if I'm already depressed, alcohol won't hurt.

Alcohol and self harm

replies: 3

Hi,I’ve found myself in a bad place again. I’m drinking too much which is leading to episodes of misusing medication.I stopped seeing my psychologist as I didn’t feel any improvement in the last 3-4 sessions and I felt judged when I spoke about drinking and medication misuse. I’m not really sure who I should speak to about this right now or just try and ride it out and hope things improve. Thanks for listening.

struggling to cope with intrusive thoughts of risky behavior/sh

replies: 2

Hi recently i started having more and more intrusive thoughts about hurting myself or doing stupid things like drinking (im underage) or taking loads of over-the-counter stuff to get high or something... i so far havent acted on these thoughts but its so hard to keep them out and im so scared ill break eventually and do something really stupid... i am struggling to keep consequences in perspective despite having consequences before (an infection from self-harm); which is what stopped me for a while but now i cant keep a level head and keep myself safe for much longer i think, im very tired and scared...any advice on how to deal with this would be so helpful id be so grateful

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 97

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

Scared to tell my GP about self-harm replies: 5

Struggling to understand. replies: 1

New school and mental health 😫 replies: 2

Lifeless replies: 4

I can't do it, I give up! replies: 2

It’s a way out….. replies: 3

Tired of asking for help replies: 2

Struggling replies: 3

Alcohol and self harm replies: 3

struggling to cope with intrusive thoughts of risky behavior/sh replies: 2