Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

Pinned discussions

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.

All discussions

Sorted by:

Start a discussion

18year old trying to quit sh

replies: 3

Hi, I’m new here, I’d like to start by letting everyone know I’m safe. I know this is the suicide and self-harm section, but I’d still like to include a TW just in case. I’m 18years old, and started self-harming when I was young. The first time it was out of anger and self-hatred. I didn’t realise then how addictive it would be. It’s now many years later and I still get overwhelming urges daily. I have tried many alternatives in the past in attempt to quit, including other unhealthy habits, but nothing comes close as a replacement. I’m currently 5 months clean, which is the longest I’ve ever been. I guess I’m posting here as I’m struggling to not talk about something that has such a large importance in my life. It’s a difficult subject, I can’t stand the look of disappointment or concern anytime I talk about it or someone sees my scars. Their whole tone changes and it makes me feel sick. I don’t like that something like sh has such control over me, but I feel like it might be me forever. I find nothing else feels as extreme. That maybe if I am in physical danger, people may recognise how bad the emotional and mental pain really is. At first it was strong emotions that triggered it, but now it’s on my mind all the time. I see it happening in my head, I remember the way it looks and feels. I don’t know what I actually want from this forum, maybe just support from people who get it? An audience who doesn’t make me feel ‘crazy’?

I’m not sure who to talk to

replies: 2

I haven’t introduced myself but I don’t think that really matters.. I’ve been clean from self harm for 2 years now, But recently I just can’t help but think about suicide. Things are a lot better than they were family wise so that’s good… BUT I really really don’t like myself. I want to hide in a dark little room until I decay. It’s not that deep but I need someone to talk to as I know this is only going to get worst if I don’t do something.

I really need reasons not to do it...the world is so crap and getting worse

replies: 10

I'm so sick of trying hard to see the silver lining. More and more I see our economy getting worse, things are getting more expensive all while jobs are asking for you to work all week for below 50k a year. I keep trying to hold on, then I find out my sister is going through a divorce....try to hold on even more, paperwork that is important got rejected...just a tiny bit more...get a bad review at work when I have been trying my best. I'm so tired, I love the people in my life, but for once I want to be selfish, nothing is being done for us to be able to afford a living by working normal hours, nothing to see in the future as we will never afford a house...there is nothing worth it anymore. I'm not doing it now or soon but will plan it out unless I get a good enough reason not to. Been trying to get a new job but nothing for me with years of experience except in retail or childcare and I hate working with children and their parents. Plus it pays like crap....and joining the army to protect a government that is not helping the public, making the rich richer.

What is the point.

replies: 1

( im ok ) I have autism, adhd, anxiety and most likely an eating disorder and i also severely struggle with intrusive and suicidal thoughts. I have always been the funny kid in my friend group, so when I'm struggling I tend to hide it under my humour or support my friends instead of looking after myself. I have been struggling for the last 3 years and I'm currently 9 months clean after a long six months of attempts and relapses and restricing my eating. I have been silently struggling by my self this whole time with occasional help from a friend who also struggles. I have felt so good for the last 9 months only having these thoughts maybe twice a month. Until recently where these terrible thoughts are now the only thing I'm thinking about. I'm not the smartest person ever and struggle at school with learning especially while having these episodes. But teachers tend to tell me I'm not doing enough which makes me contemplate why I'm even here. With my autism and adhd it makes it makes it really hard to regulate and I regularly have meltdowns due to being overstimulated which never helps in these situations. ( I know I'm ranting but I really need to let it out )

Intellectual existence

replies: 90

I have been living the treadmill for a while now. I have a nice house, a stable job, a faithful wife that cares about me and our family and an adult daughter. Following a bout of major depression, I have anhedonia (avolition, but no anergia). I have energy to get things done that I see need doing. Nothing makes me feel good more than momentarily. Most pleasurable activities make me crave discomfort (or worse). My mood is generally flat and I do not feel much in the way of emotion (happy, sad, angry, jealous, etc..). I have nothing I want to achieve. I have nothing that I want to do. I have nowhere I want to go. I have no people I want to meet. Helping others does not make me feel good. Achieving things seems hollow. I have no fear of dying. I have no fear of pain (also a very high pain tolerance). About most things I truly do not care. I have an entire alphabet of mental health conditions diagnosis (ASD, CPTSD, OCD, BPD, MDD, PDD). I have had another alphabet worth of treatment (CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT, Schema, TMS). Some are still ongoing. I have an upbringing of care for family and self sacrifice. I take care of myself so I can do things for family so they remain comfortable. Its all done by rote. I have been taught/trained over my treatments not to self harm. I often think about it... These thoughts do not worry or disturb me. I keep busy so I don't dwell on them. My family wants and needs me. I have been in constant mental health care over the past 4 years. I have been in hospital numerous times. I have been on (and am now off) antidepressants. I regularly see psychologists and a psychiatrist. I will ask my psychiatrist for another round of TMS next time we meet. I have a lot to be thankful for. I have more than a lot of people. I am in good physical health. I seem to avoid misfortune. I don't feel worthy of my good fortune. Is this as good as it gets?

Cactus without options

replies: 2

I’m the first to admit I’m no saint… or at least I wasn’t 10 years ago. But these days I’m forced to buy meds online, and I’m 100% aware one day it’s going to contain a potent substance and I’ll be dead and there’s nothing I can do about it. No one cares. I’m 50 because I was on a program in my 30s I can only get anti depressants they don’t do it for me and I’m fine with it. I’m actually longing for it to happen. I’ve told doctors it didn’t change a thing. No one cares.

Need support

replies: 2

Need some support and advice

scared and struggling

replies: 1

I have been clean from self harm for 1 year and 9 months and I don’t want to ruin that but recently I have been extremely stressed with my relationship and travelling for a weekend trip and work related issues as well. I feel like I can’t tell my boyfriend about it because I don’t know how he will react but the urge is there and is getting extremely hard to deal with. He has noticed my changes in mood and self esteem and is considering if the relationship is going to work out. I don’t want to break up but I don’t know how to tell him what’s going through my mind. I don’t have any friends to ask for help from and I’m just scared of what will happen. any advice is greatly appreciated

Break up

replies: 1

My partner and I recently broke up and I’m really struggling with it. We have decided to stay friends and keep in contact but I’m still grieving our future together as partners and I don’t know what our friendship will now look like. I feel at risk of doing something and I feel like I can’t turn to anyone, not even him. I want to be with him again but I don’t think my family will like that because of the circumstances that happened before we broke up. I never thought this day would come as I planned on having him in my life forever and saw myself getting married to him. I also can’t see myself with anyone else and the thought of it makes me feel sick. I’m struggling to eat and with basic cognitive functioning.

Frightened

replies: 46

Hi Im 61 Im beyond tired of doctors and dealing with people who dont have depression. I live in a windowless room slowly going under. I want to go out onto the street and call out help me pleaseIm so afraid if I look to deep at my reality I wont be able to handle it.I had depression and anxiety for years , been hospitalised and all the usual ups and downs. But this time is different like I dodged too many bullets and this time I wont get out of this living hell. So only suicide is left. I mean I really cant see things changing. I was desperate to stop this downhill spiral that I thought if I get a job that will save me. But now Im too sick to go to work and the new employer doesnt understand where I am and why. I now getting anxiety about thatI feel like screaming help or at least please understand me. I feel I can only relate to others with depression

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 97

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

18year old trying to quit sh replies: 3

I’m not sure who to talk to replies: 2

I really need reasons not to do it...the world is so crap and getting worse replies: 10

What is the point. replies: 1

Intellectual existence replies: 90

Cactus without options replies: 2

Need support replies: 2

scared and struggling replies: 1

Break up replies: 1

Frightened replies: 46