Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

This space discusses suicide and self-harm. Consider limiting the time you spend here. To use the section safely, read the pinned discussion.

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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.

All discussions

Guest_69966314 IDKKKK
  • replies: 1

my ex friend is taking me to court for things i didn't do and i feel like killing myself what do I do

my ex friend is taking me to court for things i didn't do and i feel like killing myself what do I do

Qwerty Why not?
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I'm in my 50s, depressed and have been all of my life, unemployed, no money, hate my life, hate where I live, chronic illnesses.Have wife and 3 small kids.Why shouldn't I just unalive myself? Yes it's selfish but why can't I be selfish j... View more

Hi everyone, I'm in my 50s, depressed and have been all of my life, unemployed, no money, hate my life, hate where I live, chronic illnesses.Have wife and 3 small kids.Why shouldn't I just unalive myself? Yes it's selfish but why can't I be selfish just once?

zea life moves too quick, i dont want to keep falling behind
  • replies: 2

No matter how much I pray and affirm myself that my day will be better today and that I need to keep pushing, one thing happens after another. I walk into school and feel like throwing up, my friends keep blaming themselves whenever I can't bring mys... View more

No matter how much I pray and affirm myself that my day will be better today and that I need to keep pushing, one thing happens after another. I walk into school and feel like throwing up, my friends keep blaming themselves whenever I can't bring myself to be around them so I feel too guilty to sit away from them, so I force myself to be around people when I can't. Even if I explain it, they don't listen, so I don't bother anymore.I can't do my schoolwork, I fall behind. I sit in class and stare at my book until it's over, I don't want to be there, I overanalyze if I breathe too loud, I don't want to be noticed.I don't know how to process my emotions, between being way too happy or feeling nothing at all, leads to my self destructive behavior which I wish would just stop already, I hate being this way, but when everything gets overwhelming and I feel like I'm being shoved out of my own reality, I want to do anything to stop the feeling of too much and feel little constantly.I want to disappear, I can't bring myself to care about being selfish these days, no one really enjoys being around me either way, I am just convenient to talk to and make people laugh, I am easily replicable.Saying 'I want to die', is easy but I really do not want to, the idea of that is horrifying, but I can't stop my intrusive thoughts. I want to battle this because I know within me that there's hope and eventually I will find peace in my life, but right now, all I can do is spiral endlessly.

Bevo ??
  • replies: 1

Can’t cope. I’ve hit rock bottom before but not this bad. My head hurts, I’m tired, I’m sad, I think of my mum up above thinking I want to be with her so I don’t feel anymore pain.

Can’t cope. I’ve hit rock bottom before but not this bad. My head hurts, I’m tired, I’m sad, I think of my mum up above thinking I want to be with her so I don’t feel anymore pain.

orangutans3142 EXTREME HEALTH OCD MAKING LIFE UNLIVEABLE
  • replies: 0

I'm almost 19 years old (F) and I have been living with GAD and MDD for a lot of my life. Last year I was diagnosed with OCD and it has gotten unbearable and I just don't know how I will live anymore. It's like living in a constant state of torture a... View more

I'm almost 19 years old (F) and I have been living with GAD and MDD for a lot of my life. Last year I was diagnosed with OCD and it has gotten unbearable and I just don't know how I will live anymore. It's like living in a constant state of torture and I don't think anyone around me understand how suicidal it makes meI cycle through OCD thoughts/themes so once I work through one worry another one begins almost instantly. I'm on antipsychotics because of how bad it gets sometimes. One of my worst themes is health OCD. I remember a few months ago I truly thought I had cancer and was in extreme fear that I was going to die soon to the point I was living my life like I only had a month left (making impulsive decisions, not caring about how much money I spent). Right now I'm in one of the most painful spirals I have ever been in and it's about teeth and gum disease. Despite going to the dentist regularly I can't stop my compulsions of comparing my gums with pictures of healthy gums, taking photos to assess gum recession and posting on reddit and other sites for reassurance. I'm in so much pain. I keep having nightmares about my teeth falling out, I often get headaches and feel light-headed from anxiety episodes and I feel as though my life is coming to an end. I don't want to lose my teeth before I turn 30. The medication is not working anymore and I just want to end it all. I don't want this to be my life forever, being in a constant state of inflammation and exhaustion from my severe OCD and anxiety. I keep trying to hold onto hope but it's so hard

lost_empty1 Wanting to disappear
  • replies: 12

Hi everyone, I'm a bit nervous about leaving this comment as I've never really spoken to anyone about this. I don't even understand entirely how I feel and so if I can't understand it, how am I supposed to be able to explain it? I feel like I just wa... View more

Hi everyone, I'm a bit nervous about leaving this comment as I've never really spoken to anyone about this. I don't even understand entirely how I feel and so if I can't understand it, how am I supposed to be able to explain it? I feel like I just want to disappear. Cease to exist. I don't particularly want to kill myself (in all honesty I think I'm too scared to) but I don't want to be here anymore. But all I think about is death. Dying. However it may happen as long it happens to me. Finally being at peace. I feel worthless and helpless. I have no passions or desires. I'm just constantly scared I guess... and empty at the same time if that makes sense. I feel like I don't belong here and I don't think I really want to. I hate compliments and people telling me I deserve to be here because I'm such a wonderful person with a bright future and so much potential. But they don't really know me. Not like I know myself (and I don't even really know myself. But what I do know, I hate). Truth is I just don't want to be here. I love my family and friends and I am so grateful to have them in my life. They make me happy. But they're just a distraction because when I'm truly alone, I realise just how unhappy I actually am and it scares me. They think I'm ok. Maybe it's because I act ok around them. Whenever someone says what they like about me it's always to do with how contagious my smile/laugh is, my bubbly personality etc etc etc. But I'm miserable on the inside. Always. If they knew what went on in my head... it'd be the shock of the century to them. I'm probably typing all of this in the wrong forum and I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time I just really needed to get this off my chest. So yeh, thank you to anyone who read this... if anyone read this

ashi "disqualified as a human being"
  • replies: 2

i recently read a book called 'no longer human', and unsurprisingly, i found the character very relatable -- excluding the misogyny and some political beliefs. i went to some kind of mental health professional(s) multiple times, school counsellors an... View more

i recently read a book called 'no longer human', and unsurprisingly, i found the character very relatable -- excluding the misogyny and some political beliefs. i went to some kind of mental health professional(s) multiple times, school counsellors and an external psychologist. i really hoped they'd find something wrong with me (ironically) but i was always marked off as simply having a 'phase'. they didn't phrase it like that, however, that's exactly what it sounded like.so if i'm not mentally ill, am i normal? it certainly doesn't seem like it's 'normal' to go against the typical nature of a living being and begin self-destructing for no particular reason. no, i don't harm myself, i'm scared of pain. but living is a hellish cruel pain. "disqualified as a human being" is a quote from 'no longer human', and it perfectly describes how i feel. i feel as if society has some secret inner joke that everyone but me was born with the knowledge of. acceptable behavior, code of conduct, social etiquette, MORALS. it really feels like i've failed to even fulfill the basics of living. it's less "i want to die" and more "living is absolutely not for me" i have a lot more to talk about, but that doesn't belong here. i apologize if this doesn't sound much about suicide.

Guest_78529838 Am I crazy? Or is it just the people
  • replies: 2

I can see and hear people I’m suicidal but do I tell anyone no. I want to feel safe in my own head but will that happen not really don’t want to open up. It’s scary but yk it’s ok I’ll always put myself and mh last I first need people around me to be... View more

I can see and hear people I’m suicidal but do I tell anyone no. I want to feel safe in my own head but will that happen not really don’t want to open up. It’s scary but yk it’s ok I’ll always put myself and mh last I first need people around me to be okay first and I’m trying that but not rlly working

Guest_74949396 suicidal thoughts
  • replies: 1

ever since i lost my grandma about 2 months ago I've been a lot more depressed i haven't been myself ive tried distracting myself but nothing has worked and I'm wanting some sort of guidance on my life because everything is starting to get to much View more

ever since i lost my grandma about 2 months ago I've been a lot more depressed i haven't been myself ive tried distracting myself but nothing has worked and I'm wanting some sort of guidance on my life because everything is starting to get to much

Scared It here again
  • replies: 72

My depression is severe todayAdded to this is the loss of my girlfriendShe was my sole purpose in my lifeNow im back to suicide researchas I really dont want to live anymoreI have nothing to look forward to in this life and I feel too old to start ov... View more

My depression is severe todayAdded to this is the loss of my girlfriendShe was my sole purpose in my lifeNow im back to suicide researchas I really dont want to live anymoreI have nothing to look forward to in this life and I feel too old to start over again.Death would be a welcome giftI know there is no purpose in suffering all the time and its madness to do soLast time I tried to end it I got so close to doing itI always felt it was upsetting I didnt succeed and today I regret trying to get better because there is no getting better.If people could understand what its like living like this then maybe they would understand me better.I try to be grateful for the last 8 years I had with girlfriend and the purpose it gave me but it doesnt stop the added grief ontop of my depression.The cavalry are not coming to save me and thats whats changed for me.I cant keep living for the sake of others wanting me to live.