What Helps Suicidal or Self-Harm?

[redblue22]

I am NOT depressed or thinking about hurting myself. I just don't know where to put this question.

It has been many years since I even considered an attempt. But someone asked me what stopped me. I have no idea. I have no idea how some friends survived their attempts. God. Somehow.

Other than that, I have no idea what to say. I've rambled on about ideas before. Depression always came and went, so I figure you can wait it out. I worried about hell. And a really long time ago I came up with something I called "suicide lifestyle" where one tries to come up with all the reasons not to. Crosses those off. Then decides to do it but makes a huge list of all the things you want to do before you do it. The list usually gets long enough that it would take two lifetimes to complete them all. And if you're creative, well, you have fun and actually put down some ideas that are therapeutic. But I don't want to tell a jumper, "Ok, do it. But first, let me tell you about a little plan."

Talking to people never helped. People get mad at you for disrupting their day. Support lines tell you they can't talk to you if you're serious.

I wonder what one is supposed to think. Or especially now, what the heck do you do when someone is seriously considering it? Love, accept, and listen, I know. I just wondered if anyone had heard anything helpful.

 

[NoddaProbBob]

I am NOT depressed or thinking about hurting myself. I just don't know where to put this question.

It has been many years since I even considered an attempt. But someone asked me what stopped me. I have no idea. I have no idea how some friends survived their attempts. God. Somehow.

Other than that, I have no idea what to say. I've rambled on about ideas before. Depression always came and went, so I figure you can wait it out. I worried about hell. And a really long time ago I came up with something I called "suicide lifestyle" where one tries to come up with all the reasons not to. Crosses those off. Then decides to do it but makes a huge list of all the things you want to do before you do it. The list usually gets long enough that it would take two lifetimes to complete them all. And if you're creative, well, you have fun and actually put down some ideas that are therapeutic. But I don't want to tell a jumper, "Ok, do it. But first, let me tell you about a little plan."

Talking to people never helped. People get mad at you for disrupting their day. Support lines tell you they can't talk to you if you're serious.

I wonder what one is supposed to think. Or especially now, what the heck do you do when someone is seriously considering it? Love, accept, and listen, I know. I just wondered if anyone had heard anything helpful.

I think your question is a very valid one to ask. It's not as simple as the answer you're looking for. I myself have been there and I asked the same question as well. The thing is, serious attempts are just that: serious. If the person has decided that that is what they are going to do, then there is no stopping them through talking. At that point medical staff need to intervene and the person needs to be protected from themselves. Often, medication is the only alternative. The desire to get past a serious suicidal episode has to come from within the person themselves. I myself got the point where I was so tired of fighting that I decided I had to do something different. There definitely is a resiliency variable that needs to be factored in as well. No one can make a person want to live.

 

[dkitching]

It is interesting that these thoughts always seem to relate to someone else, an expectation that comes from outside. Maybe a failure or judgement that you fell short of someone else's expectation of what you should do or be. We all fail, we all are less than we could be or should be. It really doesn't matter in the end. Try to ignore the "other" (mother, father, friend, people, society, etc). get in touch with your mission, goal, dream etc,. pray for your personal peace and strength ("in all things, with prayer and supplication, make your requests made known to the Father, and the peace that is beyond understanding will be yours.")

<Staff Edit> have a good nites sleep and thank God for tomorrow and your opportunity to help someone else

Dave K