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: 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 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

MisChievous128 Urge and bad thoughts
  • replies: 2

TW SH URGE AND IDEATION I honestly (trying to) not give into these urges and bad thoughts but I don’t know how long I could keep resisting... I have stuck my head into working a lot just to avoid this nagging feeling but each time I finish work there... View more

TW SH URGE AND IDEATION I honestly (trying to) not give into these urges and bad thoughts but I don’t know how long I could keep resisting... I have stuck my head into working a lot just to avoid this nagging feeling but each time I finish work there it comes like a bullet in my head... the voices are urging me to do it and they just wouldn’t let it go... how do I get them to stop and just get through okay? I’m running out of luck and energy to resist... if there’s anything that anyone can suggest for me to do, I’m all ears... I’m at my last straw.... kind of desperate now...

Serenity22 I just found out my brother knew our other brother molested and did nothing
  • replies: 23

Hi, im trying to breathe calmly right now. I’m already going through a very difficult time with severe chronic pain for the last 4 years, and recently being forced o rely on certain family members I tried to get away from. I found out half an hour ag... View more

Hi, im trying to breathe calmly right now. I’m already going through a very difficult time with severe chronic pain for the last 4 years, and recently being forced o rely on certain family members I tried to get away from. I found out half an hour ago from my older cousin that my eldest brother told him (when they were about 17) that my other brother (then 15) had molested one of us girls. Tonight my cousin asked if it was me. I was shocked because I didn’t know this happened at all. I struggled greatly living at home with my brother (accused of molesting my sister) as he has Scizophrenia and the sick, psychotic nature of his illness was always my problem. My other sister moved out and got pregnant young. My oldest brother left at 17, and I was trying to study/work and hopefully do law but the environment was so unhealthy I didn’t do well. My parents always worked. They were never home…always using money to compensate for them not being there. I put a lock on my own door to protect myself. but my anger now comes from finding out that my brother at 17 and onwards… never tried to protect me or my sister. He also found out dad was having an affair and didn’t tell Mum because Dad said it would ruin the business/money that my Brother no doubt benefited from. He is still the golden child. Im suicidal to the point I have a plan. I feel sick with the blood that runs through my veins. I have been suicidal for over a year due to physical pain. Now, the year long triggers regarding my mother, father, brothers….makes me feel constantly worthless. No amount of mirror work, meditation, journaling helps now, because I’m stuck being supported by the only people that make me feel that way. I can’t manage on my own. Even with community support, it’s not enough. My life is physical hell and I’m physically stuck in it. It’s a special kind of torture.

Fiatlux I called the Suicide call back service today.
  • replies: 4

I am grateful for the suicide call back service. I see their number all the time but today I had the courage to call them. I have been spiralling down since last December and trying to cope alone. I hate to rely on my children. But my son didn’t answ... View more

I am grateful for the suicide call back service. I see their number all the time but today I had the courage to call them. I have been spiralling down since last December and trying to cope alone. I hate to rely on my children. But my son didn’t answer or reply this morning, so I called someone else. A complete stranger. Someone who makes themselves available on a Sunday morning to help total strangers like me to basically stay alive for another day. My darling son did eventually reply to me and I told him that I would be ok now. I hate to burden him with this. I love and appreciate him so much. I want to stay for him and I want to see him thrive. He deserves better. I am trying to be better for him and he is keeping me going for now. I know that if I go now, this would cause him so much distress and stress. I love him so dearly. He’s the kindest sweetest person that I’ve ever known. Just pure good. People like him deserve so much more and so much better. He’s an amazing young man. I so wished that I had half the goodness and courage and compassion that he possesses. I have such a throbbing headache from crying since 8am this morning and I can’t seem to stop it. My eyes are so sore from the tears. I am going to be a wreck tomorrow for work. But I am going to struggle through this post and take it one day, one hour as it comes. That’s all I can manage at this moment. Take care beautiful people. And call someone if you feel the need

ktac1689 Hello darkness
  • replies: 13

I haven’t been on here for quite some time, not even to give others support and I apologise for that. Life has just gotten in the way. I have worked so hard on my mental health and recovery and have made a lot of progress and making connections. But ... View more

I haven’t been on here for quite some time, not even to give others support and I apologise for that. Life has just gotten in the way. I have worked so hard on my mental health and recovery and have made a lot of progress and making connections. But the last month or so has been so full on and overwhelming with so many activities vying for my time and attention that I have gotten overwhelmed. And very tired. And once again the thoughts and planning of ending my life started to make a reappearance. I feel like I am not really doing that well at all. I feel like no one really likes me which I know is sooky but that’s what my brain keeps telling me. I feel like I am failing being back at this place again and feeling this way. Life is beautiful and terrible at the same

Clarkie2000 Surviving, but only just
  • replies: 3

Anyone feel like they can’t go on but don’t want to leave either? Life is tough, seems to be getting tougher and tougher. Struggling with repeated thoughts, anxiety and disrupted sleep. Hope everyone is having a beautiful clear day.

Anyone feel like they can’t go on but don’t want to leave either? Life is tough, seems to be getting tougher and tougher. Struggling with repeated thoughts, anxiety and disrupted sleep. Hope everyone is having a beautiful clear day.

Single mum How do you break old habits with suicide
  • replies: 2

Hi, I will keep this as brief as I can and hopefully it will make sence.I've been diagnosed with cptsd from being through childhood truama, sexual abuse, domestic violence. Everytime ibecome i overwhelmed with painful emotions I turn to self halm or ... View more

Hi, I will keep this as brief as I can and hopefully it will make sence.I've been diagnosed with cptsd from being through childhood truama, sexual abuse, domestic violence. Everytime ibecome i overwhelmed with painful emotions I turn to self halm or suicide.I found I was always judged my Ed staff, ambulance staff, police, It makes it hard to reach out. Once I push ( not physically) my children away I have a tendency to jump in my car and self halm. If no relieve I then tempt suicide . I'm sitting here the last 2 days with strong urges, thoughts popping up randomly.I would love for this pain to be gone for good. But then my kids would feel pain. Living in this torture is horriable. I feel scared ever thought that impulse will take over and I will act. I feel judgement from medical professionals, embarrassed, ashamed and disappointed that I can't just make it stop. I'm looking for hope and inspiration to stop this hard feeling that won't go away and not act

arcticbutterfly Scared mum of teen
  • replies: 30

Not sure if I am allowed here as it is not about me, but my daughter. she is 13 and has recently plummeted into a deep darkness. She had low points earlier in the year but this time is much worse. She is talking about life not being worth living and ... View more

Not sure if I am allowed here as it is not about me, but my daughter. she is 13 and has recently plummeted into a deep darkness. She had low points earlier in the year but this time is much worse. She is talking about life not being worth living and she started self harming. We are seeking professional help but I am at such a loss about how to help her. Hoping to gain some insight here. Thank you!

Bluesky1234 Ending it after an argument
  • replies: 4

I always have thoughts of suicide after I argue with my husband. We are both very sensitive and so arguments happen often. They escalate quickly and every time I just feel like killing myself almost like a form of revenge. To show him how lost he wou... View more

I always have thoughts of suicide after I argue with my husband. We are both very sensitive and so arguments happen often. They escalate quickly and every time I just feel like killing myself almost like a form of revenge. To show him how lost he would be without me, what kind of life he would have without me, how he would suffer without me. The feeling is so strong with every argument that I feel like one day I will go ahead with it. What always stops me is the kids. I can't do it to them and leave them motherless. I tried therapy, meditation, creatrix, everything...but nothing has really been a long lasting help. I hate this cycle. Just wondering if others feel the same way. Thanks for listening

frankie2024 A six week cycle?
  • replies: 4

Hi I’ve been severely depressed lately. Tried to analyse myself out of it. My therapist spoke about a six week cycle for depressive episodes and whilst it provides some hope it means I still have half of the last four weeks to try and live through. W... View more

Hi I’ve been severely depressed lately. Tried to analyse myself out of it. My therapist spoke about a six week cycle for depressive episodes and whilst it provides some hope it means I still have half of the last four weeks to try and live through. Wondering if anyone has some thoughts about this theory and ways to cope? It’s been ugly lately. Thank you

Kitty88 What do I do?
  • replies: 1

I can't handle the stress anymore my health has gone to shit again! On-top of that there is financial issues, mental health issues, etc...I don't know if I can handle it anymore. Really contemplating turning myself in, maybe another life can do it be... View more

I can't handle the stress anymore my health has gone to shit again! On-top of that there is financial issues, mental health issues, etc...I don't know if I can handle it anymore. Really contemplating turning myself in, maybe another life can do it better then me...