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Suicide: Wanting to end your life

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Do you need help now?

If you need help now please call Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are in immediate danger please call 000. For more information read the Emergency help section.

What to do if you want to commit suicide

If you are feeling suicidal or want to end your life, it's important that you keep yourself safe. Try to remember that thoughts about suicide are just thoughts. They do not mean you have to act on them.

No matter how overwhelming they are or how often you have them. They also don't mean that you will always have those thoughts.

Everyone goes through tough times and experiences times when things seem hopeless. It is possible to get through these times by creating your own 'tool kit' of coping strategies, which you can use when you're feeling suicidal or when things feel hopeless.

Some suggestions include:  

Postpone any decision to end your life

While it may feel like you have to act now on your thoughts of suicide, try to postpone that decision. Keep a list of other things you can do to distract yourself.

This might include:

  • watching a DVD
  • going to the movies
  • playing a game
  • ringing a friend
  • chatting on msn
  • doing some exercise
  • reading a book
  • listening to music.

You can then put this into action when the suicidal feeling starts to surface. Many people report that by postponing a decision to die, they found that their life did change. They were able to get the support they needed and could move on to a better, happier place.

Tell someone

Although it may seem hard, and may seem like a bigger challenge than taking steps to commit suicide, it's important to reach out to others who might help you to see alternative ways of solving or thinking about a problem, and to help you to realise what is important to you, allowing you to have a more positive outlook.

You could tell a family member or friend, counsellor or any person that you feel comfortable with (this might also be a teacher or religious leader). If they don't believe you or don't want to listen, keep trying until someone else does. Sometimes people don't react well at first because they don't know how. This is not your fault, and although it may feel hard, don't give up!

If you are having difficulty speaking about what you're going through, you might start with sentences such as 'Right now, I'm feeling...', 'I think it started when...', 'I've been feeling this for...', 'My sleep has been...', 'Lately school/work/uni has been...'.

Or try writing something down and giving the paper to the other person if you're having real difficulty speaking.

Ring a crisis line

If you are having difficulty talking to people you know, phone a crisis line.

Kids Helpline (KHL) (1800 55 1800) is free from a landline and won't show up on a phone bill.

Lifeline (131 114) is the cost of a local call from a landline.

Both of these services are anonymous and they're open 24hrs a day 7 days a week.

Write down your feelings

Writing down your feelings, or keeping a journal, can be a great way of understanding your feelings and a particular situation. It can also help you think about alternative solutions to problems.

Set small goals

Sometimes people set goals which are almost unachievable and then feel worse when they cannot reach them. Try to set goals that are achievable for you, even if it's on a day by day, or hour by hour, basis. And remember to reward yourself too.

Exercise + eating well

Even though you might not feel like it, exercising and eating well can help when you are feeling down.

Biological factors, as well as social factors, influence how you feel and how you react think about certain things and yourself. Exercise helps stimulate hormones, such as endorphins, which help you feel better about yourself and your life. If you haven't done a lot of exercise before, it might be a good idea to start doing something small a couple of times each week.  A 15 minute walk or 2 or 3 laps of a pool would be a good place to start.

Avoid drugs + alcohol

Try not to use drugs or alcohol in the hopes of feeling better. Using them may help you forget about your problems for a little while but when the effects wear off you'll often just feel worse.

Talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are health workers who have special training in mental illnesses, including depression, schizophrenia, and suicide. Clinical psychologists have a similar training, but do not administer medication.

You may be able to find them through your GP, your local community health centre, or through colleges of psychiatry and psychology. Some GPs and other allied health staff also do counselling. You may be able to obtain details through divisions of general practice in your area, and/or through your community health centre. Check out the Who can help you section for more info.

Why do people want to commit suicide?

Sometimes living can become very painful and problems can seem overwhelming. At some point many people think about suicide, but do not plan or act on it.  However, for others the thought of suicide might begin to seem like a real alternative to a problem or situation that appears hopeless or as if there is no solution.

Situations that might contribute to a feeling of hopelessness include:

  • relationship break-ups
  • family problems
  • sexual, physical or mental abuse
  • drug or alcohol problems
  • mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar and depression
  • major loss and grief such as a death
  • school, uni or work problems
  • unemployment or being unemployed for a long time
  • feeling like you don't belong anywhere
  • any problem that you can't see a solution for and is ongoing.

Is deliberate self-harm the same as wanting to commit suicide?

Wanting to end your life, or suicide, is not necessarily the same as deliberate self-harm. Deliberate self-harm, such as cutting or burning oneself, is often used to cope with difficult or painful feelings. When someone can not express in words or make sense of their feelings or emotions, they may choose to hurt themselves physically.

However, most people who engage in deliberate self-harm do not wish to die. For more information about deliberate self-harm you may want to check out the Deliberate self-harm fact sheet.

  • This content was created by Reach Out Australia.
  • Last updated 09 Sep 09

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30 Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Lishhh

about 1 year ago

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thanks. for a while now ive been feeling a bit suicidal and i read this post a few days ago and i went for a job and i just felt so much better. 



Edited by moderator about 1 year ago

Sherwaz

about 1 year ago

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This was very interesting to read..  This has helped me to understand how i feel ..

Thankyou for this information..

Edited by moderator about 1 year ago

Muay thai boxer

about 1 year ago

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This site helps me feel I'm not alone out there, that other people are feeling what I'm feeling.

Thank you

Spud

10 months ago

Reply Report

khl... it sounds like kill...
are you trying to give me tips?! >:(
These factsheets need to be simplerrrrrr

anna

10 months ago

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hey Spud :) We're always looking at ways to improve our fact sheets. Can you let us know what would make it simpler for you? More headings? more pictures? maybe a video? thanks ! :) Anna

anna

10 months ago

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@muay thai boxer - I'm really glad you found this helpful :)

Spud

10 months ago

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It'd be easier to understand, if it was like... done like wikipedia... with the choice of simple englishh

anna

10 months ago

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I didn't know about that on Wikipedia! We want to make the website info as accessible as possible for everyone, so these ideas are great. So, do you reckon having a few choices - full fact sheet, shortened/simplified version and perhaps video/audio version would be helpful?

Of course resources dictate when we might be able to do this, but it's good to at least brainstorm ideas! :)

Spud

10 months ago

Reply Report

narggghhh, anna youve cunfusd me!

Porcelain

10 months ago

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@Spud - What Anna was trying to say is that, since you mentioned about this factsheet:


'It'd be easier to understand, if it was like... done like wikipedia... with the choice of simple englishh'

She suggested: What sort of ideas would you like to contribute to this:

Eg: Would videos & audio be helpful?

Did that make sense? :)

anna

10 months ago

Reply Report

thanks The Lost one :)

hey Spud - like The Lost one said, we'd really like to know what other options would be easier to understand - do you prefer video or audio?

Or do you reckon a simple list of tips for fact sheets so you don't have to read so much?

Spud

10 months ago

Reply Report

It'd be rel easy ta undrstandif it was like... yeah, a video... omg... (I iz helping the deaf) with captions...

Iwillbreak

7 months ago

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I'm struggling with everything around me. Injuries, losses, setbacks, even things that i should be a part of but not included (rightfully knowing my biological father). Everything i seem to be involved in or associated with fails miserably and i seem to constantly wear the burden on the inside. Sure i talk abou things, whinge about them and even yell about them but the honest truth is that i have looked inside myself and i am honestly scared of what wants to come out if i let go. I hate feeling like this and it destroys me but i think its better than what i may become. I don't know where to start on any process to heal / sort my issues

Porcelain

7 months ago

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Hi Iwillbreak,


Thank you for reaching out for help and asking for help. That is the first step to your recovery. Reach out. So, well done. Don't be afraid to lose control of what may come out of you, because the second step is, calling for help and that can be anyone:
  • a trusted adult or friend
  • a counsellor or Kids Help Line on (1800.55.1800) or Lifeline on (13.11.14)
  • a GP
  • a psychologist
When things get worse for you, try working on some relaxation technique. Which can be found around here, if you search for it in the 'search box.' I have a phobia of white cats, so I can't get you the link, because the white cat is the picture there and RO is being ignorable towards my issue, so I am sorry I couldn't direct link it for you. 

Releasing your anger is sometimes positively, but only if you release it productively and can take control of it and nothing terrible comes out. I have times when I have my outbursts, but I just learn to relax later on. Every issue is temporary with a permanent solution.  

Antria - Community Builder

7 months ago

Reply Report

Hey Iwillbreak,

It sounds like you are at a pretty hard place right now. When there is so much crap going on around you, there is a sense of failure and distress and you don't know where to start with getting through that stuff I can imagine that it might feel pretty hard at times to keep on keeping on!

I know a lot of people that come on RO have felt that way at some time in their lives (for me, I have to admit I felt that way for quite a long time). Maybe you should chat on the forums some time, if you don't already!

Although it can be hard to know where to start, sometimes talking to a professional can help because they can assist with drawing out the right words, helping you to make a start on working through some of the stuff going on and putting things in place that make life feel a bit better. Have you tried calling Kids Help Line or talking to a counsellor before? For me, it totally helped to turn things around so I hight suggest it!

I also like Locita's other suggestions as well!

Let us know how you go, and take care.

Roisin - RO Crew

7 months ago

Reply Report

Hi Iwillbreak,

We are so sorry to hear that you are going through such a tough time right now and think you should be very proud of yourself for reaching out for help.

We understand that it can be difficult and scary to open up to people about what is really going on inside but trainned counselors know this and have the skills to help you feel safe and comfortable to talk about anything.

Please don't hesitate to call Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 if you feel you want to talk to someone.

Tessa

6 months ago

Reply Report

I'm so confused...
I really want to tell someone so they can help, but I dont want the people I know and love to ever know I feel this way.
And just the thought of telling someone makes it feel all the worse...

Roisin - RO Crew

6 months ago

Reply Report

Hey Tessa,

Welcome to Reach Out!

It's awful to hear that you are going through such a tough time right now However, I think it is fantastic that you would like to get help.  You should be super amazingly proud of yourself for taking this difficult first step in reaching out for help:)

This link will bring you to loads of information about different ways in which you can get help:)
http://au.reachout.com/find/getting-help/who-can-help-you

Also remember there is always Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.  Please do not hesitate to give these guys a call, they are there to help:)

tootiredtolive

6 months ago

Reply Report

what do i do? the partner ive lived with for 15 years has lied almost the whole time we've been together, we have children and now they are lying, the embarrasment is unbearable, she's never home to help raise them, its one lie after another when i ask of her where abouts,  im new to this so forgive me if ive posted on the wrong page, just looking for help

Edited by moderator 6 months ago

Roisin - RO Crew

6 months ago

Reply Report

Hey tootiredtolive,

It sounds like you are going through a really tough time right now.  You should be very proud of yourself for taking this big first step in looking for help:)

Please, if you feel like talking to someone about what you are going through do not hesitate to call Life line on 13 11 14.

Have you had a look at this section of the site all about where and from who you can find help:

http://au.reachout.com/find/getting-help/who-can-help-you

It has loads of helpfull information so that you can find the best type of help for you :)

All The Best
Roisin RO- Crew

tootiredtolive

6 months ago

Reply Report

thank you so much Roisin RO-Crew

after reading your reply and a few of the other letters on here, i feel so much better, im so grateful there is someone out there who thinks my life is too good to throw away, i havent worked up enough courage to ring someone just yet, your response did the trick, suddenly i feel like a fighter and want to continue on with life,

To anyone out there feeling a little down and out.... its true what they say...time heals (And knowing someone actually cares when you think nobody does)

Once again to the Roisin and the RO Crew.... Thank you!

Ps. Keep up the great work

Jessicah

6 months ago

Reply Report

Ive done so many things to try and be normal. I've seen so many psychologists and counsellors and psychiatrists. Ive been in hospital because of high risk suicide an attempted it twice.I hate myself to the extent i cant look in mirrors.

 

Hey jessicah,

I am so sory to hear about how you are feeling right now, it must be really tough.

It's VERY important that you talk to someone about what you are experiencing. You are not alone - there are people waiting and wanting to help you.  I know you have tried talking to counsellors and phychiatrists before but please keep trying. All mental helth profesionals have different styles of working and  it can take a while before you find one that suits you, but please keep trying:

Have a look at this section of the site all about finding the best kind of help to suit you:

http://au.reachout.com/find/getting-help/who-can-help-you

Also, I assure you you are not alone and you are normal.  Check out these stories written by other young people alout how they used to feel similar to you now and about how they have gotten through:

http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/running-is-not-forever

http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/giving-life-a-chance

http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/too-much-in-common

I also think it may be worth taking a look at these fact sheets:

http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/self-esteem-feeling-ok-about-who-you-are

http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/maintaining-healthy-self-esteem

The above links will take you to fact sheets with some helpfull tips about how you might begin to feel better about yourself :)

All the Best
Roisin - RO Crew

 

Edited by moderator 6 months ago

FindingHope

6 months ago

Reply Report

Hi Jessicah,

I'm sorry that things have been difficult for you. I know it can be frustrating when you go to psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors and still it seems that it hasn't helped. But please keep trying to reach out for help, change can happen for the better, with time. Please call Kids Help Line (1800 551 800) or Lifeline (13 11 14) if you are in crisis.

Take care,

Cassie

Porcelain

4 months ago

Reply Report

Hi Jessicah,


This is probably way too late, though, hopefully you come around to read the responses from other people. I hope you are doing better after a month time away from ReachOut.

I just wanted to let you know, through experience, I hated myself every single day. I did however attempt to graffiti all over the mirror the things I want to hear and see in my life, whether they come true or not, I still wanted to believe in them, because believing is seeing what we cannot see, until we stand in front of it 'the mirror'.

You have a lot of strength & potential in you, but you have got to believe in yourself.

You don't have to hate yourself, but you can try & replace the word 'hate' with something more positive and uplifting.

Attempting art therapy is a good coping mechanism. Art therapy can be through painting, writing, singing, drawing...etc. You can speak to a counsellor about how you can go on about doing it, but it's pretty straightforward and it all comes down to you :)

Hope you are going well.

Take care,
Ophelia

Porcelain

4 months ago

Reply Report

Hey Tina,


*BIG HUGS* I am so sorry to hear you were raped and you are feeling this way, but please please I cannot express how important it is for you to 'stay alive'. 

Believe me. I too was sexually abused every Saturday & sometimes Sundays, when I was 9 years old, in 1996, by someone related to me (cousin) and I buried it inside of me for 12 years, and I have had dreams of wanting to end my life, and have attempted suicide for 12 years, & no one knew what I went through. 

So I was going through this alone for 12 years, but you know what made me through the days? The strength & the faith I had with God & the support through 'someone' I confided in and by a psychologist, in 2008.

Have you considered getting in contact with a psychologist or psychiatrist? You can do that at a GP.

My twin sister was also raped when she was 16 years old, thus with the support of her family she made it through, living her life with a lot of strength & courage. :) 

Today we are 23 years old, realising we both came out strong with what we went through.

However, sweety, I really urge you to speak to the emergency department on 000, about how you are feeling, as ReachOut is limited with what they can do, as it is an online service. :)

Also, if you are connected with the rape crisis counsellor, it's best to work closely with them. I know a lot of people who have been raped & it's not easy to face the person who hurt you, but on the positive note, you will be protected with lawyers, security, baileffs, Judges and polices. You will see your abuser go behind bars.

You are not alone in life. You will get through this. I promise you - you will. You will come out stronger than you think. :)

Let you anger out in other ways. Head to the gym & punch the punching bag. Allow yourself to cry, allow yourself to be close to the people who you feel safe with.

We are in April still, and May soon. You have a lot of choices & chances in life to make, before wanting to end your life. You life is worth a million more than that man who hurt you. He is nothing!

I also recommend you to call Kids Help Line on 1800.55.1800, if you feel really distress. They are available 24/7, free & confidential (optus).

You can also try helping yourself by 'changing you thinking' by checking out Zen Den in Forum. I know it may be hard to do, but you can try. Time will heal all broken wounds.

Please hang in there.

Promise me you will hang in there. Come on here if you feel lost & confused, as ReachOut really does care, as I do too. :)

Please take care of yourself.

--Olliie

Porcelain

4 months ago

Reply Report

Ps: I recommend you to check out:

http://www.headspace.org.au

Email someone from there to get in contact with a GP from headspace who can refer you to a psychologist. They can work with you on some goals & strategies to help you cope.

I wish you all the very best.
:)
Olliie

Porcelain

4 months ago

Reply Report

Hey MissBlackheart,


I am sorry to hear you boyfriend is manipulating you in the most harsh way. It's best if you call the emergency department on 000 to help sort this out.

This reminded me of something though - have you considered in seeing a counsellor to support you? It's important if you have a face to face counsellor, cos telephone counselling don't always work where you have a partner who threatens to hurt themselves.

Make sure you have friends around for support & families for support.

Just remember, to call triple 000 at any time.

Take care.
Olliie

Porcelain

4 months ago

Reply Report

....my time to vent!!!


Im tired of living! Can I die? Answer: No - I must live with this challenging life. Why? Cos it's so wonderful that it drives you to insanity, but we continue to fight our way through life, which shows strength!! Pulls out victory sword.

Okay, but seriously, I think I have stuffed something up, it's not a small thing where I put my first through a glass window, because I've done that before, but this is something so big, that's been frustrating me that I am almost ready to give up, aka runaway, any time soon. Actually, no...that's just silly! I am just lost & confused, because what I did - was - well, basically, I should have just kept my mouth shut!

I don't want help from ReachOut, bcos ReachOut can't help me, but I just wanted to share how much I have fucked up in my life, by coming on here well the other Forum more like it *sighs*

I hope things turn out better soooooooon!!! I don't plan on dying. I plan fixing the situationsssssssssss, by....

going to sleep.

Goodnight!

over thinker

3 months ago

Reply Report

hello 


im new to this (as it were) and having great difficulty in talking or even doing anything about my issues 

(Mod edit please see guidelines)

i snapped out of it, shaken by them, so here i am to see what help there is out there, i would like to use the lifeline so i can talk to someone without the embarasment of talking to someone face to face( i just cant do that, i would feel like a pity case)

but my concerns are the fact that life line shows up on the phone bill ( i live with others, and DONT want them knowing of my situation ) 

is there a online chat service that ive missed

p.s the reason i have not stated why im having these thoughts is because there a few reasons y i feel like this and they are complicated , atleast to me 

ty, and it feels like a little bit of that weight on my shoulders is gone (so to speak)  



 
Hi Over thinker,

It sounds like you have been going through some pretty tough stuff recently.

You have done a great thing by letting people know that you need help. It’s really brave. And it’s the right thing to do.

Talking to someone can be a massive step – no doubt about that and it can be overwhelming for many people. As you said in your post, just talking about things can lift a weight off your shoulders, and it will just keep getting easier and easier as you talk :)

There is no shame in seeking help. Health care professionals are there to provide you with the tools to help you through a tough time, not to give you pity - and they certainly wouldn't see you as a pity case. KHL/Lifeline is a good certainly a great place to start

If you are not comfortable talking to someone face to face I would suggest trying Kids Help line it provides services for young people up to the age of 25.  Calls to Kids Help line do not show up on all bills, it depends on who your network provider is.  The best way to find out for sure is to call and ask your telephone company if 1800 numbers show up on your bill, if they do then Kids help line will too.  Kids help line and lifeline also have this information on their sites, here are the links:


http://www.lifeline.org.au/find_help/24_hour_counselling_service
http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/get-help/phone-counselling.php

Remember if you would like to speak to these services without them showing up on your home phone bill calls to kids help line are free from pay phones and Oputus and virgin mobiles, this info is also available on their website.

Kids help line also provides web and email counselling, here is the link for more info:   http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/

I would also suggest that  you look more on our site. Why not have a look at all the information we provide in the Who can help you section -  http://au.reachout.com/find/getting-help/who-can-help-you/  on our site – it answers a lot of questions about seeking help – and you can see stories and stuff written by other young people. 

We hope that some of this info helps you – we promise that you’re not alone in this – you just need to connect with people who will listen to you and help you with what you are going through.

All the very best,

Roisin - RO Crew

Edited by moderator 3 months ago

over thinker

3 months ago

Reply Report

good work ollllllliiiiiieeeeee     it is nice to see people who care 


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