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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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.

Survivor...

replies: 21

Firstly, I am not having any of these thoughts and am safe. Sat in my small office, smiling at those passing me by and deep down I feel absolutely awful. Not sure how I made it to work, I'm here and guess a small win I suppose. I am trying to be very careful here as I know this is such a delicate topic. I will do my best. I have titled this post 'Survivor' and have mixed feelings and a little imposter syndrome. I have written not one but two goodbye letters. If any of you reading this have been there and survived, its a place and moment in time that you cant erase. For years now I have thought about a special group of people or a club for those who have survived. I don't know why but I just have. Unless you have been there you wouldn't understand. Now again, I am safe and for those of you who may be struggling, hang in there. You will learn that these thoughts come and go. I might end it there. Stay safe and you will get through this.

just wondering to help myself

replies: 4

does anyone have any ways to like reduce the urge to hurt myself like rubber bands dont work for me can my arm just ends up swelling up where it hits my arm and yeah i just need sidjestions how ever you spell that word { im very bad at spelling so so... View more

venting

replies: 5

i was diagnosed with depression when i was 15. it was a tough time. i was bullied at the new school I moved to, and my friends from my old school suddenly all turned on me and spread false rumours. i always kind of knew they were fake friends, but I stayed because I had nowhere else to go. the new school was hell on earth. the suicidal thoughts became all I thought about and I couldn't stomach down food, and I couldn't stop crying. i skipped class and ignored my grades. a semester later, I transferred to another school, because I wanted a fresh start. I'm currently there right now. i have friends, and no one actively, openly hates me like at my other two schools. but Ive lost all motivation. i cry at night wondering when it will get better. i don't know what the purpose of this all is. this one girl from my first school posts photos of me online and laughs at me with her friends at the train station when I just want to go home. my parents don't believe in mental health and I've reached out before, but they made it clear I wasn't going to get professional help. My mum is leaving to another continent to have brain tumour surgery and she wont be back for at least a year. why am I fighting for a life I don't even want? am I selfish for thinking that? if you relate please reply to me, I don't want to feel alone anymore

Lost, my life so far is aimless

replies: 3

I've been struggling with depression ever since highschool and I've only recently been seeing my psychologist for help. The idea of life and living has always sounded stressful to me, so i never really knew what i wanted to be or do with my life other than kill myself at a young age. I confessed to my parents one day about how im not sure where my life is heading and not exactly sure what to do, I've only just recently turned 18 and was expecting guidance or reassurance, instead i get told off about how they would send me back to my country if i did nothing or didn't know what to do with my life, since then the thought of killing myself and harming myself only really increased. The next time i see my psychologist is next week and im willing to ask for help, other than that im not really sure what to do, as of right now.

Do you have a safety plan? replies: 97

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

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

Survivor... replies: 21

just wondering to help myself replies: 4

venting replies: 5

Lost, my life so far is aimless replies: 3