If your friend has taken pills or hurt themselves

Hi J..... I have sent you a follow up email & I hope you found some of the suggestions in there helpful.

Sometimes short term pain is for long term gain. The more people that know about what's going on for you, the more support and assistance you will get. While there may be those who are unsupportive, having contact with health care professionals and/or your school principle will significantly increase your support networks and will help you on the road to feeling better about things.
Some of the feelings you have been talking about in regards to your self harm look similar to what is described on the self harm factsheet http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/deliberate-self-harm

Here are some really inspiring stories from young people who have experienced self harm http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/dear-self-harm
and
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/conquering-depression-and-self-harm

I hope you find these a source of inspiration.

You're not alone through this - and I hope you reach out for help.

Nikki

Nikki-thanks,
i would absouletly love to tell the school counsler as im already seeing one but the problem is is that i got told by my deputy principal and my year adviser that if they find out at all that im harming myself they will have to call home and tell my mum. the problem is i dont want mum to know!!!!! i also talked to my mum today and she said that she would never let me go live with my dad!!! how upsetting is that.

also now that ive cut myself i seem to want to do it more as its a kind of relif to all the pain. does this make me crazy at all??? because if it does please tell me as i want to know. also harming myself seems to make me feel better, i dont know even maybe relieved, as when i do it i know that im normal as i can fell pain.

the teacher i told said depression was like your apart of the world but you dont really feel apart of it. its like the worlds all a big haze that your there but you cant really grasp it. this teacher that told me this had depression to the point were i am now, that she was cutting herself.her older sister dragged her to the school counsler as she was that worried. i dont want this to happen to me. even though i really like this teacher i dont want her to worry even more about me. i am so restricted at the moment as it is as this teacher is also my rolecall teacher and if i ever miss a day of school she might think the worse and call home

as you can see im in a tigh situation and i have know idea what to do. so if anyone has any ideas what so ever please help me!!! i really would take the help in open arms as im sick of all this pain and living in fear.

thanks again for the help Niki.

please if anyone has any help or ideas please tell me as i need the help
J.....

Hey J....
It sounds like you're going through a really tough time at the moment. You refer to self harming and having thoughts of suicide.

Firstly, you sound like a very strong person! You have mentioned that you know and want to get help, and posting on the ReachOut.com website is a great start. It is really important you tell someone about what you're doing and how you are feeling, and understandably it is hard to talk to someone face to face. Have you tried calling Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or lifeline online chat http://www.lifeline.org.au/Find-Help/Online-Services/crisis-chat/default.aspx You school counsellor is also a good start. I think it's great that you have told a teacher - and I encourage you to keep reaching out of help. Telling people is important.

Your suicidal thoughts must be scary for you. Keep in mind they are thoughts and you don't have to act on them. It's important to call Kids Helpline when you're feeling this way - they are available 24/7 or call 000 if you're in immediate danger.

Take care of yourself

Nikki (on behalf of the ReachOut crew)

ive been through this...... im still going through this....... ive self harmed......still am. ive made my friend promise not to tell any1 what so ever. so far shes kept to this promise though i know she wants me to tell someone really bad. ive told my fav teacher about me wanting to kill myself but not even she knows about me self harming myself. im afraid to tell any1 as a phone call will get sent home and thats the last thing that i want. i need help....... what should i do?????

i just find out last night some one i know try to self harm themselves some days ago i do know what it is like i have to to do the same a number of times but i just could not do it at all but what makes it hard is she has depression and i think she has other things she will not see a doctor or any things and now the cutting not sure what to do

Hey Tina,

I am really sorry to hear about your friend.  If you would like to talk to someone about everything you have been through why not try giving kids help line a call on 1800 55 1800, or try lifeline on 13 11 14.  These services are really friendly and 100% confidentail and anomynous. 

I also suggest that you take a look at some more of the fact sheets and stuff on our site,  this one has some great tips for dealing with your feelings after a stressfull event so that they don't become overwhelming: http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/coping-with-a-stressful-event

I hope some of this info helps

All the Best
Roisin- RO Crew

ive been in this situation .... she had taken alot of pills to kill herself...she was a doctor ...... my doctor .. and family friend...... and i found her and was real scared ... and she died ........  shame....  it got me real depressed i did the same thing a few wks later .........  im still here ....... still haunts my head .....

This can be a very hard thing to do. I have been in the position at whilst at the time you may either freak out and think that your friend may hate you or you do not know what their reaction would be, it can all become a bit overwhelming.