Hi @NikNik @utopia @Owlunar @Zoe7 @Former-Member @Faith-and-Hope and everyone else I have forgotten
Last night I worked on a safety plan with the help of @NikNik Now that I have one in place I need your help if you can. Below is my safety plan I would like to share with you. Where I need your help is when you see I am beginning to write thoughts of SH or negative thoughts (warning signs) can you pls flag it so I know I need to read my safety plan and Nik will see it. I am going to give this safety plan to my psychologist, psychiatrist and doctor. (My answers are the ones in bold) Thank you so much in advance in helping me. Special thanks to @NikNik 🙂
1) Warning signs are changes in thoughts, moods or behaviours that suggest you may be heading towards self harm. Knowing your warning signs can help you take action early.
MY WARNING SIGNS
Feeling anxious, angry. Thinking that it would be easier for everyone if I did disappear. Overwhelming feeling that i am not coping, it;s all too much. Want to get rid of the pain.
2) When you're having thoughts or feelings about self harm, it's easy to get caught up in the pain you're feeling and forget the positives in your life. Thinking about your reasons to not self harm may help you change your focus until the self harm thoughts pass.
Write down the things in your life, large and small and that are important to you
THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN MY LIFE
My three beautiful children are so important to me
a grandchild due in October (first one for me)
moving into a new home (June)
3) Having a safe space is important if you are having thoughts of self harm. This includes making the environment around you safer, or taking yourself out of unsafe situations.
You can do some of these things right now, while others are plans for when you start to experience your warning signs.
THINGS I CAN DO
Put 'self harm item' away if at reach
ask for help
go on a forum and talk to others
4) Self harm thoughts can make it hard to focus on anything else. Activities that distract you from them are an important strategy to keep you safe. List some activities to do by yourself.
THINGS I CAN DO
go for a walk down the beach
water the garden
play with the dog
call a friend for coffee
colour in a mandela
knit
Some suggestions: go for a walk, play with pet, watch a particular movie/TV series/YouTube, Listen to music, write, draw, do something creative, practice mindfulness / grounding activity
5) It can be hard to socialise when you're struggling with self harm thoughts, but just being around other people can improve your mood.
Make a list of people you could spend time with or social places you could go.
go to a cafe
call a friend and go for a walk
6) Sometimes there are certain sections of the Forums that can assist in providing strategies or distractions
List some of the threads that are helpful or a good distraction
talking to others on the forum about things that are not too triggering
eg. fun friday is always good; not too heavy discussions
7) Trusted friends and family members can help you stay safe and feel better by providing practical support, or just being there to listen. List supportive people you can talk to when feeling urges to self harm.
MY SUPPORTERS
There is no one that i can call as in friends. I have a great GP that i can go and see or call him. I also have a psychiatrist and a psychologist but they are hard to get hold of. Friends are okay to distract myself but not to talk about SH. No one knows.
😎 Professional support is always available when things become too much.
List the names, numbers and/or locations of mental health professionals, crisis teams and hospitals you can contact. In an emergency, always call triple zero (000).
MY CONTACTS
GP
pyschiatrist
psychologist
Local CAT team hospital
You can also contact one of the services listed below to speak confidentially with a trained counsellor:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659467
beyondblue Support Service 1300 22 46 36
