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Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

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Sophie_M 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 wi... View more

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

Sophie_M 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 h... View more

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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Bombastus Every moment is agony
  • replies: 2

I am a 33 Year old male in NSW. I just don't know what to do anymore, every ounce of joy life once had has been sucked out of it I have no family or friends. all I do is work, and when I get home I am just waiting until my next shift starts, Cost of ... View more

I am a 33 Year old male in NSW. I just don't know what to do anymore, every ounce of joy life once had has been sucked out of it I have no family or friends. all I do is work, and when I get home I am just waiting until my next shift starts, Cost of living leaves me with nothing to the point I have budgeted to only eat three days a week and I try to keep it to workdays so I have the energy to function. The landlord has just increased the rent and my car is in such a state of disrepair it will probably fail me any day now, I won't even be able to live in it after I get evicted when they raise the rent again I have absolutely no idea why I have to be kept alive in this hell. Why do I have to continue through this torture. has anyone found a way out of a situation like this? I'm an old man, I can't do sex work and I won't go near drugs. centrelink have told me I earn to much to be eligible for assistance, HA I cost more to society alive, surely the resources could be better spent on valued people

MatthewAdl I'm scared I'm not doing enough with my life
  • replies: 2

Everyday I see people hanging out with their friends or partner, and doing such amazing things like having a beach picnic or doing a pottery workshop or even simple things like having lunch and going shopping. I don't have anyone to do these things w... View more

Everyday I see people hanging out with their friends or partner, and doing such amazing things like having a beach picnic or doing a pottery workshop or even simple things like having lunch and going shopping. I don't have anyone to do these things with. I wish I did. I've spent so much time and effort trying to make friends but they all turned out to be fake (e.g. constantly cancelling plans the day of, ghosting my messages for weeks, or months, never asking to hangout, etc). I don't know how much longer I can keep trying. It's been too long, I deserve what everyone else has. Everyday Im alone at home rotting in my room. I don't even have the motivation to wash my face in the morning. Im jealous of what others have. I wish I could have at least someone to go shopping with. I don't like shopping alone. When I go shopping alone I don't speak a single word. I love talking. It hurts so much. I've cried the most I've cried since I was a kid, even more than when my grandparents died. I can't let my 20s be like this. What a waste of my prime. I know I'll still be young when I'm 30, 40, and heck even when I'm 50 I'll still be young. I just don't want to waste what I have now. Time. Maybe I'm too boring, too shy, not talkative enough. Maybe that's why I don't have anyone.

Guest_19719504 Self-harm help
  • replies: 2

I have been experiencing suicidal thoughts and have been dealing with some self-harm I’m not sure who to talk to about it as I have never been very confident in asking for help

I have been experiencing suicidal thoughts and have been dealing with some self-harm I’m not sure who to talk to about it as I have never been very confident in asking for help

Debahaha Resources needed
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. I am just wanting some advice if possible. Four months ago, my mental health declined rapidly and I ended up in hospital for 5 days as a suicide prevention. I have had 2 care plans done. The problem I am having is that due to being socia... View more

Hi everyone. I am just wanting some advice if possible. Four months ago, my mental health declined rapidly and I ended up in hospital for 5 days as a suicide prevention. I have had 2 care plans done. The problem I am having is that due to being socially isolated and not having a support system, I am not improving. I was sent home with the plan to see my gp and a clinical Psychologist. Problem is, I am to unwell most days to manage getting myself to any type of appointment which may help me. As a result, my mental health is still very bad and I am constantly terrified. I want to do the work to try and get well, but don't know how to make that happen. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

white knight Steps- Survive Change Recover Reflect Avoid
  • replies: 0

In my experience steps post an attempt are almost set in stone. My attempt in 1996 and several episodes that clearly were not attempts but were approaching them, all had these steps as a process, so lets look at them. Someone's first true attempt at ... View more

In my experience steps post an attempt are almost set in stone. My attempt in 1996 and several episodes that clearly were not attempts but were approaching them, all had these steps as a process, so lets look at them. Someone's first true attempt at taking their own life is a harrowing occasion, it's a time when logic is removed. SURVIVE To think about survival during this period is to have logic remaining as part of your thoughts so that is asking a lot in these circumstances. However, in future attempts (or thoughts) the presence of logic might be there if you realise that you need to think that way. We are talking prevention so we need to find ways to prevent going down to the attempt stage. CHANGE (your environment) During an experience whereby I was approaching an attempt and obviously very upset I knew I needed help. So as I always suggest- change ones environment, I walked and headed towards our local GP surgery where I told the receptionist "I need help"... and got it immediately. You might need to change your accommodation, partner status... anything to avoid the direction you were travelling down. RECOVER Time is a master but time cannot be rushed. It could be a grief period you are going through and we all know that it takes time to process that and there is no answer to that except forced distraction like a sport, hobby, company of others, therapy groups and so on. Those activities keep you grounded to your normal life activities that keep reminding you what life was like before the spiral. Emotional trauma isnt a nice place to exist so within us is the survivor that really doesnt want to be there. Forcing yourself to break through from that distraught place is needed. Get up and walk... do anything! Walk around the block, stare at the bees, smile at a stranger... anything. REFLECT Once recovery is in progress you'll feel better and this is where you can look back on those days/weeks/months where you know you were at risk. You know it wasnt a place you'll want to repeat and it is only you that can prevent that. Reflecting is a natural way of recovering the same as animals reflect upon a conflict with another dangerous animal. It is not unhealthy to reflect. AVOID 28 years on I still avoid going down that path to an attempt. I dont talk about the actual act, its too traumatic. However the positive is that I know my limits and I know the process I force myself to carry out as in the steps above Avoidance is the roadblock. U-turn to see life's beauty TonyWK

MeepMorp Everything's too much and I don't know what to do
  • replies: 5

Title. I'm sick of having government freaks from centrelink breath down my neck trying to force me to work a job I can't mentally take. I just want an out. I feel like I'm truly coming up on my ending. My partner is American and I need this money to ... View more

Title. I'm sick of having government freaks from centrelink breath down my neck trying to force me to work a job I can't mentally take. I just want an out. I feel like I'm truly coming up on my ending. My partner is American and I need this money to figure out the convoluted immigration system every country's adopted because 9/11 ruined the world. Capitalism and the need to work myself to death is terrible it's all i think about. I'm not built for this world. I'm 21 now - I had to leave high school in year 11 because it was too much for me. I've worked one job for two months since then and I truly hated it. Left because I was bullied for being trans by staff and upper management. And those people will never ever understand suffering like I do. My whole life has been suffering. I was abused at a very young age by my dad and it's impacted my life forever. Every day I have panic attacks and am just sad. All I do is sit here and listen to 100 gecs or death grips while dissociating. I'm not built for a capitalist world where human life is thrown to the side in the eternal chase for higher and higher profits. I truly have been having more and more suicidal ideations and it's terrible. Nothing truly interests me. Any sort of job would just drive me insane. Sorry that this post is just a ramble lol i'm just putting every thought that comes into my head down onto the keyboard.

Sophie_M 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 wi... View more

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

BKL Chronic suicidal thoughts, does it get better?
  • replies: 17

Hi all, I am new here. After suffering several childhood trauma, I have developed complex PTSD, recurring depressions and chronic suicidal thoughts.I have been living with chronic suicidal thoughts for the past 30 years. Almost every day the thoughts... View more

Hi all, I am new here. After suffering several childhood trauma, I have developed complex PTSD, recurring depressions and chronic suicidal thoughts.I have been living with chronic suicidal thoughts for the past 30 years. Almost every day the thoughts are on my mind; background thoughts if it is a good day, forefront of my mind on a bad day.I am seeing a psychologist and I am on antidepressants but the thoughts are still there. My psychologist reckons they will never go away.Can I imagine to one day live a "normal life" ( i.e., not feeling worthless and hopeless all the time) even with chronic suicidal thoughts?

ebee addicted to suicidal thoughts?
  • replies: 2

I’m not sure how to word this, but I feel like I’m ‘addicted’ to having suicidal thoughts? Now, to preface this, I’m very satisfied with my life and acknowledge that I’m very privileged. I’m also not actually suicidal; it would realistically hurt too... View more

I’m not sure how to word this, but I feel like I’m ‘addicted’ to having suicidal thoughts? Now, to preface this, I’m very satisfied with my life and acknowledge that I’m very privileged. I’m also not actually suicidal; it would realistically hurt too much and I don’t want to traumatise my family. Since I was about 12 or 13 though I always thought about how much better it would be if I could die, and now it’s just constant to a point where I don’t stop thinking about killing myself unless I’m absorbed or distracted by doing something. Again, I don’t really want to die, but I can’t stop wishing I don’t have to wake up the next day. Being unconscious is probably the most peace I feel. It feels like as the days pass on, my doom is nearing, as dramatic as that sounds. The only reason I’ve been able to make it thus far is because I’m so privileged and because I’ve been blessed to have people who I can depend on and who still put up with me. But I know that I can’t depend on others forever, and of course I’m trying to be independent, but god am I so incompetent at everything I do and I don’t have a good personality either. I’m not kind, charismatic or optimistic; I’m terribly selfish, introverted and pessimistic, and I can’t even do ‘basic’ things other people can do like… hold a conversation. I don’t really go outside unless it’s necessary (eg grocery shopping, school) because I get really anxious about having attention on me, and it’s so sad because I want to spend time with my friends, but it’s a massive hurdle to overcome every time and never gets easier than the last. I have a similar-ish problem with my self harm too, where it’s just there. I’ve started it a while ago too, but nowadays, I don’t really do it because I’m super hurt or sad or anything (that would be a bit too often) but it’s just there and I’ll just do it if I feel like it. Of course I never hurt myself too much, so maybe that’s why, but it comes as easily as writing or drawing, and I can never bring myself to care that much about it like everyone else does. (Not that I am trying to justify it; I would be very concerned if anyone I knew, or anyone at all, was self-harming, no matter the degree. And it does make me really sad to accidentally see it online, even when I try to avoid it) So, I really don’t want to come off as insensitive, but I can’t stop wishing that I won’t have to wake up the next day.

Oldperson Living in my car
  • replies: 1

The owner of the house that I was renting for the last 4years, passed away they gave me 30 days to move out, I have done everything possible, I have put my name everywhere, nothing is available for a 69year old man, the only thing is to place me with... View more

The owner of the house that I was renting for the last 4years, passed away they gave me 30 days to move out, I have done everything possible, I have put my name everywhere, nothing is available for a 69year old man, the only thing is to place me with mentally unhealthy and like, people, I am now living in my car, like so many others, the alternatives are worst. So sad, depressed, covered in mosquito bites, can't take much more I get a ton of advice from everyone but no real help from anyone