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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Should i tell my therapist that I want to kill myself

replies: 8

Hi everybody, I am a 19 year old male who still lives at home with family. I am wondering what would happen if I were to tell my psychologist that I feel suicidal sometimes. I really don't want my family to know this about me. Any response is greatly appreciated. by the way, I am not in any immediate danger of committing suicide, and I highly doubt that i ever would. But every now and then I think about it quite deeply.

Limit to support

replies: 2

First of all I’d like to thank beyondblue for their past help. I know i’ve used the service alot in all sorts of states but i’ve cleaned myself up and i’m trying hard to get my life on track; not drinking alcohol, not using substances, eating right, working with my GP to get my medication right, talking to my psychologist regularly and being open and honest about my past. I just want to know if there’s a limit to support. Yesterday I reached out to your chat line and was told I should “refer to the services I was provided in the past”. I thought this was a once off so I called and got told “I know a really good book”. I was feeling low and had suicidal thoughts and just wanted to talk to someone but I guess I’ve burnt that bridge somewhere along my rocky road to recovery. I’m safe, I’m not going to do anything but I’m tired of feeling this way. From now on i’ll handle this myself I just wanted to know if your support has a limit. Thanks

Recovery from suicide attempt

replies: 9

Hello. I’m wondering if there are others like me who are well educated (post grad in psychology) and strong who have plumbed the depths that I did a few months ago.We know that mental illness doesn’t discriminate and I am a depressive. In fact, I’ve come to understand that since other family members have bipolar, I have some of those genes in me. I’m trying a mood stabiliser as I’ve had too many issues with antidepressants. For the record, it wasn’t depression that made me do it. It was caregiver burnout. I was exhausted on many levels.

How to save yourself- from yourself

replies: 2

Thankfully, I'm a survivor. Like many of you reading this however, I could have become a statistic. I dont venture into that day in 1996 very often or it becomes non productive. I had been abused for 11 years. I have bipolar, depression and dysthymia. How did I survive? Endurance Not everyone has my endurance and I'd say that quality has been the top reason for my survival. But how have I used endurance? We often mention distraction on this forum to be used in many situations like deflecting trauma, moving your thoughts onto other things. A very good tool. Well my endurance was made easier through distracting myself from the trauma at hand.Medication Purely a topic for your professional medical person but I decided early on that I was unique and therefore would not take much notice of what I "should" be on. I perfected my meds with the help of my Dr especially with dosage. This was a regular assessment over many years and to get it right in the end was truly worth the perseverance. Follow your fitment For me I was a city kid that enjoyed holidays on relatives farms. So at 17yo I left the city to join the defence. Eventually I's settle in a country town. This was very important for me. Environment is important to fit into.Employment Being unstimulated in your work can prolong depression. To seek out your ideal job likely needs commitment in education, a double edged situation. In some work, on the job training is better suited. I found 2 or 3 part time jobs were better than one full time. 8 hours working with the same people tested my limits. Refuse shift work.Sleep I needed a CPAP. Quality sleep is essentialSelf praise Fact is, we need praise but rarely get it. Give it to yourself. Be your best friend. Reject the destructibles There is a high percentage of people in society that will not serve you well. Be wary, be choosy, pick your friends and family that are a benefit to you. Enjoy Love life. Watch a flower bloom, a bee seeking nectar, buy a puppy. The basics are worth your focus.Give I feel we are on this planet to give to others but you should have a limit. Too much giving leads to giving to some that will take advantage. Be wary and "charity begins at home". Any input? TonyWK

Non-suicidal self harm over 50

replies: 2

Hi all. First time poster here. I scared myself yesterday.I am not suicidal. Yesterday I was feeling a super-combo of anxious, depressed, sad, mad and angry, including mostly angry at myself and I impulsively hit my head. I now have a floater in my eye and am going to the optometrist today to check that it's just a floater and not retinal detachment. I feel nervous about having to lie to the optometrist but am more worried about how I got to this point. How it got this bad this quickly. I need help to change my life circumstances and way I react to things I know, but for now, I am alone in this bit. I simply cannot bring myself to tell anyone I know that I've hurt myself. Any advice would be appreciated.. even to know I'm not alone in this type of experience... thankyou

Help in seeking help

replies: 3

I've been having dark though and sort of acted on them in the past. How do I get help and support when I'm afraid to go to the hospital or use the beyond blue online councillor. Ps I do have autism and communication issues

Thoughts about self-harm, past struggle with suicidality

replies: 2

Hi, So I'd like to preface this by saying that I have really struggled with speaking candidly about my suicidal thoughts. But recently, I witnessed someone speak about their addiction before an audience and I really admire their strength so I'd like to replicate that to the degree that I'm comfortable with in my own life. Apparently my comfort zone only allows anonymity so I'll roll with that, I guess... I have been diagnosed with depression and have struggled with it since the age of 11. I have always downplayed my struggle because I didn't want people to pity me or worry too much. And to some extent, I never been able to truly allow myself to acknowledge my struggle because I have a cushy life. My parents have good jobs and on the surface everything is perfect. I have a close relationship with my mother who has always welcomed me to be vulnerable and talk about my struggles, I have been reminded by members of my social circle that this kind of relationship with an immigrant parent of my cultural background is like having struck gold and it is quite true. I am incredibly grateful and that's part of the reason I feel like I am spoiled and perhaps haven't faced much in life and maybe I'm complaining when I should be thankful for how loved and cherished I am. Onto my suicidality, I often fantasise about suicide and how I would do it. Because I am worthless. I deeply hate myself. I am ashamed to say that I came close to self-harming last year. I have so many reasons to hate myself that I often wonder what it is that is holding me back. Is it family? Friends? Or my cowardice? All I see when I look in the mirror is someone who is undeserving of her life. To add to my amazingly low self-esteem, is the fact that I am not straight. Queer is the label I prefer but bisexual also works. I'm from a Christian family so I would literally be a social pariah if I ever came out. I can't really imagine myself in a relationship and I also identify as ace to an extent. I also like being christian and my religion's teachings do resonate with me so that complicates things infinitesimally. Anyway, the word count allows no more ramblings for this post so...

no life direction

replies: 3

im kinda stuck. like i was stationary in my life, then i got going, and then i got stuck. iv have seen people talk about how hard they have it and i think and i unreasonable for telling myself im struggling. i have been suicidal for almost 2 years now and nobody knows. i have social anxiety, weather its severe, disorder or nothing, i dont know but i know i am hopeless in social surroundings. i umpire in local afl but in the goal but i would like to be a field umpire. im way to anxious to talk to players and make decisions that they wont like. i dream of being one though. i dream of being an extravert. i never had a girlfriend and i always dreamt of being so confident like the other guys. since graduating school i have struggled with friendships and the anxiety has gotten worse. when covid started i started writing music and i want to be a full time musician some day. but recently i lost interest in music all together and i cant understand why. im exhausted all the time now. i mean i did just get a job, but that didnt help my happiness. idk if depression or anxiety or im just an idiot for thinking i have problems. how long can one last whilst silently suffering. not long i suspect

Sad and unhappy

replies: 3

I separated from my husband 4 months ago after I ended our marriage of 8 years due to his anger and aggression. I feel extremely lost, sad and have bad thoughts of not wanting to be here anymore. I’m normally a fun loving person who laughs smiles and loves life. I’m finding just the simple things hard to do, like looking after the house, cooking, eating and doing everything that I normally love about life. I feel like my husband has passed away and I’m grieving. How do I overcome this struggle, I’m normally strong and full of life.

Scared of religion and suicide thoughts

replies: 3

My name is Aaron I had a huge anxiety attack at least 6 years ago about being on the earth and fear it will fall ( I'm scared of heights and falling) and it started with me praying to God to help me and I started doing praying rituals and OCD stuff about touching stuff 6 years later the ritual that involves praying has gotten out of control I need to do it absolutely perfect or I do it again Some things I can't do cause I worry it will offend god and I will be sent to hell and burn It's made me lose interest in music and gaming and anything else I enjoy doing Cause everytime I do something I have to do it in a set of rules so I don't offend god and he will make me have to do my praying ritual I have to do my ritual after I've had sex with anyone I'm now married and even if I do it with my wife I still have to do the ritual It started as me being a Christian but now it's making its own rules up I have to follow or il be thrown into my worst nightmares I'm getting off a medication now cause my psychiatrist thought it was OCD how my family and psychologist thing it's really bad anxiety My psychiatrist thinks it's ADHD and wants to start me on ADHD medication however my family and psychologist think I don't have ADHD so I'm getting a second opinion soon My mum recently passed away she was my best friend and a huge support with all my mental issues These days I just don't see the point in going on when everything i enjoy is infested with rules and triggers I have a wife and a son and I want to live for them but I just can't do it anymore I'm to scared to commit suicide cause I'm scared il burn in hell But going on just seems pointless when I don't have any joy or happiness life seems pointless I normally just watch tv or sleep all day I get annoyed at people who try and get me to do stuff and I know it's not their fault I just can't help it Life just feels pointless now Just wanted to share my little story and seek opinions Hope you're having a good day

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 97

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

Should i tell my therapist that I want to kill myself replies: 8

Limit to support replies: 2

Recovery from suicide attempt replies: 9

How to save yourself- from yourself replies: 2

Non-suicidal self harm over 50 replies: 2

Help in seeking help replies: 3

Thoughts about self-harm, past struggle with suicidality replies: 2

no life direction replies: 3

Sad and unhappy replies: 3

Scared of religion and suicide thoughts replies: 3