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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What do u do when u can't get help

replies: 5

Due to PTSD caused by sexual abuse i live constantly with dark thoughts. No a day goes by that i dont think of ending it all. I keep fighting but it gets harder n harder everyday. I have been to my gp and have a mental heath plan but due to living im a regional area and being on a careers pension i cant afford to pay to get help. My dr has sent out alot of referals and cant get me in to see anyone. Presented to hospital a few times which is a 100km drive one way and they just send me home saying u seem ok now. No sure how to get help anymore. Im getting scared that on my own i wont be able to keep fighting. Only thing i think lefyt is to harm myself to get the help. I know this is not something i should be thinking but quickly running out of options. Im sorry to dump this on here i know in the end is my problem to deal with as it has always been. I do appreciate u all.

mounting pressure is pushing me to bad actions

replies: 1

studying has become overwhelming, moving house is overwhelming, trying to keep up with my relationship is overwhelming, and it's led me to act on self-harmful thoughts. i can't fix anything truly, because i can't afford to, i can't focus on my study, i'm worried that i'll fall apart. it's happened before, i've hurt myself, struggled with my study at the same time, dropped out, and then it's gotten worse. i can't hurt my partners again, but i'm hurting myself as well. i can't drop out, because i've never succeeded at anything either. honestly it's making me want to disappear forever, but i can't do that. and i hate that. why can't i just go away?

I'm planning and I'm scared

replies: 2

So I'm in a new relationship only been together 4-5 months, we are living together and I'm pregnant already, I'm just done lately and have been thinking about harming or offing myself a lot lately. I'm currently trying to figure out a therapist and e... View more

Gabby

replies: 12

Hi… I’m struggling to understand how to connect on here. So I’m going to need some help? Anyway, I’m an elder. I marvel that I haven’t killed myself but I’m not happy to be alive at all. I have no friends, two daughters who live far far away but who are in close contact over the phone. But they don’t know of my struggles anymore coz I keep them to myself—they have enough to deal with in their own hectic demanding lives. I look forward to the day I will die and hope it comes soon. I live completed isolated and alone and it’s not life. So sorry for being so negative.

life's to thick...

replies: 3

so, I've had suicidal thoughts for most of my adult life. I grew up seeing horrible things and had horrible experiences. I keep going on cause I'm a carer and a uncle. I had a small group of really close friends who I treated as family. two close friends who I thought would always be there for and also be there for them. (which I was) the reasons are to ridiculous to even type out or think about but, they jumped ship. now here I am. alone most of my waking hours. watching movies, watching anime, playing games, mowing lawns, etc. at this very moment I'm wondering why I'm still here and constantly telling myself there's good reasons to be here. but I'm just so tired of it all. no one to call, text or joke around with and it's eating away at me. I love my family and the singular mate I have left but it's painful to exist just to exist. I've asked myself so many times over the years- what's the point? why do these things keep happening? what did I do to deserve this so called life? dealing with depression/PTSD/anxiety is so exhausting to constantly deal with and that's all I feel these days. just unrelenting, perpetual exhaustion. sorry if this vent was a little to negative for my second discussion post but, negativity is my bread and butter -_-

Stressed out and Confused

replies: 2

Hey everyone, I am really struggling with my mental health at the moment. I am in my second year of University, i am currently doing really well in my course but i am not enjoying it. I am so anxious and depressed, my mind feels like it is going a million miles an hour and then not even functioning at all. I feel sick just thinking about University but the thought of quitting it is just as hard. I have had really bad episodes of both anxiety and then depression in the past and while it is not at the same level i can feel myself spiralling. I have been on medication for both previously for prolonged periods of time but i don't like myself on medication. While i have been off of medication for over a year, i have recently had to place myself back on it out of fear for my anxiety and depression worsening. I have have been having suicidal thoughts daily and they in themselves are a big red flag for me. I don't know what to do next, right know I am so exhausted and so stressed.

I really don't know what to do anymore

replies: 8

I've been struggling these past 2 years. I can't go a few days without wanting to just disappear or hurt myself.I've always been told by people that my ex is saying terrible things behind my back, and just over-all making my thoughts worse.I have talked to doctors, and I have been told to my face if I tell my parents I'm thinking it again, I have to go to a psychiatric hospital. I'm just stressed. My 4 or 5 friends left have been trying to make me feel safer with myself, and it's sort of worked, but, I always snap back to wanting to hurt myself a few days later.I've always been told psychiatric hospitals are for deranged people. I sort of realise it was an over exaggeration, but i still fear them. I always feel the need to say sorry, and i don't know why, because its causing people to say "Stop saying sorry so much, god it's annoying" and it's ruining me I'm a bit ok now, but I'm genuinely worried for my mental health at this point.Its stressing my parents out and I just want to disappear sometimes to save them the trouble of having to be my parents.

Why should I bother

replies: 3

I'm not the type of person that usually discusses this type of thing because everybody has problems and I don't want to add to problems people have in their own life, but I can't take it anymore I don't know why I should bother fighting a losing battle, I'm nearly 50, jobless but actively looking for a job, alone most of my life last girlfriend I had was when I was 19, running out of money and the mental fortitude to keep going. Feel like such an insignificant, worthless speck that is just wasting oxygen.

Anxiety and self harm

replies: 3

What can I do to stop? I’m not depressed, I’m not suicidal. I don’t want to die. But sometimes SH is the only thing that makes me feel in control of my life, like I don’t need to be so anxious and worried, because I’M in control of what happens in my... View more

Lost

replies: 2

I’m a mum of 2 school aged kids, wife of 15yrs. Financially dependant on husband (for last few years). Always had anxiety / depressive tendencies since a child. Husband very driven, not understanding /empathetic towards depression, therefore unable to talk to when down. Distances themself. Recently lost close friend and potentially about to lose job. Quit important role recently due to loss of friend.Daughter different towards me and dad (nasty towards me, sweet with dad/husband). Husband doesn’t have my back. Very close with son as he has a kind heart.I feel at a loss. Leaving this world would damage my son, so I want to stay for him. Daughter may be too young to realise the impact of her actions. I feel like a terrible mum.I’ve given up the fight. I can’t go on. I have a plan to end it but can’t put my son through it.If I leave the family, I have no money or no where to go. I will be homeless, still with no hope (other than my son not being hurt). I’m completely lost and don’t know where to turn or get myself out. I have lost all confidence and self respect and lack any drive.If I stay, I’m a burden to my family so it’s only fair for them (husband & daughter) that I leave. No benefit to myself in staying alive. People always comment on me seeing the positive in every situation, which I try, however the end result proves otherwise.I’ve explained my situation to my husband last week, things improved for couple days, now he and daughter ganging up worse than before.I’m mid 4’s and feel completely helpless. Don’t know why I’m writing this or who to - just no where else to express myself confidentially.

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 97

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

What do u do when u can't get help replies: 5

mounting pressure is pushing me to bad actions replies: 1

I'm planning and I'm scared replies: 2

Gabby replies: 12

life's to thick... replies: 3

Stressed out and Confused replies: 2

I really don't know what to do anymore replies: 8

Why should I bother replies: 3

Anxiety and self harm replies: 3

Lost replies: 2