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12-07-2017 02:31 AM
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12-07-2017 06:26 PM
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12-07-2017 08:06 PM
12-07-2017 08:06 PM
Re: Suicide prevention
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13-07-2017 01:22 PM
13-07-2017 01:22 PM
Re: Suicide prevention
Am I understanding your idea correctly? That you are wanting a service you can ring and explain and talk about your thoughts of suicide - only. So it's for people who want help - to not end their lives, but simply reaching out for some help, anonymously. Without fear of being 'picked up' and taken to the public psych ward. Is that right?
I recently had a huge scare of going into the public locked psych ward. Just the thought of being in a place where I might encounter someone like the man who set my Mental Health journey off. I was truly terrified that I would be placed in great danger again - like I was in my workplace 3 years ago. So that fear. That feeling of helplessness and terror. I understand.
My feelings about an anonymous service, is that people generally call a suicide service for help. Those who have already made the decision to die, would not likely use it.
This Forum offers anonymity. Members can freely express how they are feeling. Members can ask for advice on staying safe without having to go to hospital.
My other thought on this is;
Sometimes the earlier we seek help from our gp, psychologist or psychiatrist, the better our chances are of being 'treated' at home.
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13-07-2017 01:49 PM
13-07-2017 01:49 PM
Re: Suicide prevention
It is very common for people who have decided to die to reach out for human contact as a last desperate bid for help. To speak to someone who believes them and doesn't just tell them to stop being melodramatic. Innocuous comments such as 'I can't do it anymore' are common and should not be ignored.
If you get the opportunity I strongly recommend attending an ASIST course (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
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13-07-2017 04:37 PM
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18-12-2017 09:23 PM
18-12-2017 09:23 PM
Re: Suicide prevention
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18-12-2017 10:59 PM
18-12-2017 10:59 PM
Re: Suicide prevention
Hi @Rosie1961.
I love your idea and think it would be a great, life saving service for we silent ones. I think it is hard for people who don't have constant suicidal thoughts to understand that we know ourselves and our level of danger better than the professionals (or the volunteers). That we can get to the precipice with our toes over the edge, looking down and know that we will probably live to fight another day. We just need to talk it out with someone without fear, without judgement.
I have been sectioned and though it wasn't traumatic it was frustrating and damaging. I almost lost my job and this put me in a worse place that I was to begin with. I think of this everytime I feel suicical and contemplate ringing Lifeline, telling my GP, psychologist or psychiartrist. I do not tell them the truth. I know the "right" answers to their questions to allay their concerns, I know how to step back and cover up if I let slip and say too much. I know this means I will not get the proper treatment but the public mental health system is not the right treatment.
My ex committed suicide after being let go from a public mental health ward, at night, with too much medication. He presented himself as suicidal and they didn't believe him. I and many others have no faith in the system and so we stay silent. And so, like my ex, we die alone.
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18-12-2017 11:02 PM
18-12-2017 11:02 PM
Re: Suicide prevention
I find myself reluctant at times to call support lines because I cannot count both hands the number of times the police and ambulance have been called and I have been forced into a mental health unit. Usually unable to handle my trauma and often my thoughts of suicide are escalated by this action.
You have my support.
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20-12-2017 05:33 PM
20-12-2017 05:33 PM
Re: Suicide prevention
It's a tough one isnt it. What the professionals think we need, to what we know we need. But services dont provide. Im sure there are many profesionals that would agree. We need change. But it needs to be done in close consultation with the people who are in need of extra support during these very difficult times.
My own experience recently has been negative with the crisis team. Where i could be refered by my psychiatrist and gain assistance within twenty four hours and have the same case manager. For some reason the powers to be have changed the system. Now what hapens it goes to a triage nurse, who contacted me two days later. Who said she would refer me to the crisis team. Heard nothing for another four days. Then had to wait for a team meeting the next day to asign me to a case worker. That person rang me, and we had a talk and said he would ring me in a few day to see how i was. Over two weeks later ive heard nothing! How is that supose to be helpful?. Im told to ring the crisis line (which i have done, only to be put on hold indefinately)
Up untill recently, i found the crisis team very supportive. They would call me during my worse time of day. Ask me how i had spent the day, how i was feeling, what my plans were for the next day. It was a real life line. I felt that someone really cared, and was compasionate toward me. It really kept me going to the next phone call.
The powers to be have changed the system and it clearly doesnt work. I am taking this up with my psychiatrist to see where i can take it to. Its like when they took psychologists out of community health. It let so many people without ongoing help.
I have always had a fear of being taken to hospital against my will.
I am soooo supersensitive to rejection. I feel so guilty about those suicidal thoughts. I am crying out silently for help. But noone hears.
I have often thought if only there was a safe place to go. Somewhere where i could talk out my thoughts without judgement. Somewhere where i could feel accepted as i am at that momentl somewhere to have a coffee. Sounds strange i know.
I really feel there is a big gap in the system. So in my perfect world this is what would hapen.
A drop in centre operating 24hours a day with access to profesional help
A common area with tea/coffee
A quiet area if i want to be alone
Access to resources i.e drs, psychiatrist, psychologist etc
Somewhere i can walk into and talk to a person how i feel 24/7 365 days a year
Somewhere where i can be guided into a action plan. Given some specific stratagies to try.
A place where i can learn new skills like dbt distress tolerance. Voluntary group work where i can connect with other people and we can support each other.
A place where there are volunteers with lived experiance (maybe need some kind of training as well)
What do others think? Would a drop in centre that operated 24/7 work. It would need some profesionals on board. Is this something Sane can take up? Explore the posibility.