Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

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Do you have a safety plan?

replies: 96

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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Tonight my toddler unknowingly saved my life!

replies: 4

I have been really struggling with self harm and suicidal thoughts for the past few months. When I was younger my stepfather committed suicide, because of this I know the devastation and heartache friends and family feel. I don't want my friends and family to ever have to feel that way because of me and because of that I have been very open with my husband whenever I felt like I wanted to take my life. Tonight was different, I didn't want to tell my husband, I didn't want anyone to stop me. Long story short I couldn't handle living like this anymore, I knew my family would be hurt but in time they would be ok. My daughter gave me a big cuddle and asked me if I was ok as she rubbed my back. I couldn't get words out. She then told me she will get me food to make me better. I hate that she seem me like that but I am also so thankful. She saved me! She reminded me of my reason to live!

How do I help her?

replies: 2

My sister has been suffering severe depression and been in therapy/medicated for 17 years. She has attempted suicide more than once. Both of us suffer PTSD from very brutal violent and mental abusive childhood. She has survival guilt for having it 'less' violent and mental abuse than me. She asked me yesterday if I'd be angry with her if she was able to get euthanised. As much as it broke my heart I answered honestly that I'm pro euthanasia for intolerable suffering. Mental illness is as real as any other you can see on a scan. Of course I don't want her to do that - I want her to live. But she's only getting sicker and live only for her family and friends. I looked into it and she can't get euthanasia because of where she lives, Belgium and Holland require you to be a citizen and Switzerland is too expensive. I worry that once she realises that, it'll make her feel even worse. Then this morning she messaged (we live in on opposite side of earth) and asked: What do you think would be the big difference between receiving active euthanasia and ending your life yourself? Except with approved active euthanasia relatives could could possibly be present and that they get a chance to ay goodby. Why do I say to that? It sound like she’s looking for my ‘permission’ to end it. She doesn't dare to bring it up with her friends out of fear that they will have her committed. I'm really worried, more than usual. Please help.

Am I just faking?

replies: 3

Hi, so this my first time asking for help in a while...I don't know if what I write will be triggering or not but I'll try my best to make sure its not. I had been three years clean...I don't really remember how long its been. That was the first time it happened, but I started again a few day ago...how do I know if I actually need help or if I'm just doing this because I'm bored... I feel like I'm faking this because it'll happen but then I'm fine the rest of the day and I can't really explain this to my parents cause they're foreign to this stuff and don't understand. and lockdown isn't making things any better. its not like I want to do it but I would be sitting and next thing you know I am on autopilot and it just happens...idk

SH and other tings ✨

replies: 6

Hello, I've been thinking about self harm since I was 12. I always thought of it as really gross and scary. But I'm 14 now and soon turning 15, it's been two weeks and I've done it nearly every day. It started when I was having a really bad mental breakdown and decided to do it. Something comforts me about it, I'm not entirely sure why I do it. The first time I did when I was crying like mad, I felt sick to my stomach and wanted to stop and I did. ALSO, I don't know if I'm doing it for attention. But I also think I'm doing it for a cry of help. BC I dont like talking about things, especially my opinions and feelings. Its starting to get bad again. I wanna see someone (psychologist or sum) but sometimes this feeling of sadness is comforting in a way. I don't even know anymore I just don't wanna feel like a burden when I'm sad around people.

I WOULD DIE, IF THING's were different, I am In HELL

replies: 0

I am 26 Year's Old, I am a IN JUSTICE I have been Mis Diagnosed with Psychosis at 18, but also far worse Schizophrenia at 19, I was than placed on compulsory med's at 21, and than at Just 22 I contracted Pre Diabetes Type-2, and than at 25 I had my Gallbladder Removed, I have been asking my Mother and Parent's for Year's to take me for a Second Medical Review, at the Mental Health Tribunal, and they haven't considered helping me, I have NO understanding how to do It, My Parent's are narcissistic and continuously gas light my Intelligence, and threaten to call the police to take me to a mental ward, and to take my medication, They don't care about my FUTURE at all, My Father Is a lot to list and Is SELFISH, and mentally abusive In many way's, and my mother takes responsibility, and than make's It seem Justified, Than If I try to make responsible Independent change's, She get's protective or sensitive like It's threatening or anxiety I have had a In ability to get my driver's licence, I had to wait 11 month's to get my learner permit form eligibility rather than 3 month's due to the mis diagnosis, I also have had up to 6 Instructor's, The first 3 were useless after the first lesson, The 4th randomly Informed me She was going to QUIT after 2 Lesson's, when thing's were going well, because I sent a message about my problem's, mistakenly to Her Instead to my mother, She expressed concern, A few days before She canceled I try'd telling Her that It's nothing to worry about, It was only a natural MISTAKE, The other 5th & 6th were not the most reliable, and one of those was very un professional, the 7th was fantastic for a sufficient amount of time, until we quit agreeably, because He became very arrogant and accusative, the one I have now I have now had four lesson's with Him, His the 8th Instructor so far and His going good at the moment, I had a Occupational Therapist O.T. and had to change Her because She undermined my duration of my length of driving beyond those Interval change's of Instructor's, so I had to find another one, Plus all these covid 19 corona virus lock down and extension's, I have to have now a second O.T. Off Road assessment needed and also a On Road O.T. assessment, medical review's, not Just 1 but as now 2 per year, between my GP, and Psychiatrist, and since changing the O.T., It's always hard to find experienced Instructor's, and In the region with O.T. correlation capability

New to antidepressants and sad

replies: 10

Hi so I'm only on my 4th day of taking antidepressants due to depression, anxiety and S/H. Yesterday I almost felt normal and happier at work. Also i know it's bad, but I had 4 glasses of wine last night. I know it canmake symptoms worse but I disregarded any of my rational, sensible thoughts. By the 3rd glass, my head felt funny. I stopped after 4. I knew I had had enough. I had more left and normally I'd drink it. Today I woke up in a panic. Thought I had slept though my alarm but I still had 10 minutes. My heart has been pounding too. Yesterday I felt positive. Today I feel sad and anxious and on the verge of tears. Nothing has happened either. I'm guessing this is normal to have ups and downs?Also I know it's bad, but I do have the uegeto S/H today. I'm off to work and feeling low. I've been having back pain, feeling nauseous at times and sometimes tired. I'm wondering if this is the medication.

How can I find Bulk Billing psychologists/counsellors? My mental health is progressively getting worse

replies: 5

Hey all, I have depression and ptsd and am struggling to find anyone who will bulk bill me, even with a care plan. My mental health is progressively getting worse, and I'm worried I'll make another attempt at my life if I can't find anyone soon. View more

On my own I guess

replies: 4

I no longer feel like theres an end to all this, I dont see anyway of this all going away or ending my life. I feel stuck in an empty room for the rest of my life. Im trying to convince my GP there has to be more going on but my medication just gets changed everytime. I no longer feel different when on antidepressants and the side affects of nausia and toilet problems now feel perminent even when off medication for months at a time. I cant expect my girlfriend or family to convince me Im important. All my hobbies have died off, I cant leave the house for simple things like food. Work is the only way ill willingly leave home and thats a whole story on its own. Sorry for using this platform to vent but I have nobody to talk to, ive tried. I want to see somebody who can tell me whats going on bc the counselling and doctor visits dont explain why I cant leave my bedroom. im scared for myself but I dont know how to show it

I just want it all to go away

replies: 2

I am struggling today. I am currently looking after my elderly mother full time who has just come out of hospital and is unable to care for herself. She is also starting to get dementia and is at times abusive towards me and its upsetting me because all I have ever done is try to help her. My father was mentally and emotionally abusive and I have struggled under the weight of worthlessness all of my life because of it. I have made a lot of bad decisions in my life and the anxiety doesn't help because I constantly revisit those decisions and relive them. I am childless because of some of these bad decisions and it is one of my biggest regrets. My partner has lost all interest in me and I am just going through the motions every day. I have no one who I can talk to as I don't really have many friends and those that I do are not close friends. I am not loved. I am sitting in the spare room with tears rolling down my face because of how helpless I feel. I have lived my entire life in fear of what others will think of me because of my father and it also didn't help that I was bullied throughout my entire school career. I feel physically sick. I just want it all to go away.

healthy coping strategies?

replies: 1

I am going to start this off by saying that i am currently self harm free for about 3 months but i need to find some better coping mechanisms because i don't know how much longer i can go without. I feel like every time i am sad it is my first instinct but lately i have been able to control it. I am not sure how much longer I can control it. I am reaching out to this forum to ask for better alternatives for dealing with suicidal thoughts that are positive as oppose to negative and self destructive. a couple months ago i found myself acting not like myself at all. I was drinking, vaping, doing drugs, self-harming and even taking joints off of strangers in public. Now looking back at this i know it is not me, but i want to replace these ideas and negative coping mechanisms before i fall back onto them. If you have any suggestions of healthy coping mechanisms i would really appreciate it. I feel like i am falling back into my old habits, and some of them still to this day haven't left. Thank you for taking the time to read this post, cheers, blank

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 96

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

Tonight my toddler unknowingly saved my life! replies: 4

How do I help her? replies: 2

Am I just faking? replies: 3

SH and other tings ✨ replies: 6

I WOULD DIE, IF THING's were different, I am In HELL replies: 0

New to antidepressants and sad replies: 10

How can I find Bulk Billing psychologists/counsellors? My mental health is progressively getting worse replies: 5

On my own I guess replies: 4

I just want it all to go away replies: 2

healthy coping strategies? replies: 1