Self-Harm & Trying to Commit Suicide

Self-Harm:
Coping with different problems can lead to self harm. It can help you express feelings that you can not put into words. It also can distract you from your life, or release emotional pain. Afterwards, you may feel better but only probably a little while. Then the feelings start coming back and you have the urge to hurt yourself again. If you want to stop but don’t know how, remember this: you deserve to feel better, and you can get there without hurting yourself.  In fact, you may feel like you have no choice. The problem is that the relief that comes from self-harming doesn't last very long. For example, it can be like slapping on a band-aid when you really need stitches. It may stop the bleeding temporarily,  but it wont fix your injury. Most people doing self harm like to keep it a secret. You feel ashamed or maybe you just think that no one would understand. But hiding it can be a heavy burden. It can make you feel even more lonely, worthless, and trapped. Self-harm can also include less obvious ways of hurting yourself or putting yourself in danger, such as driving recklessly, binge drinking, taking too many drugs, and having unsafe sex. Clothing can hide physical injuries, and inner turmoil can be covered up by a seemingly calm disposition, self-injury can be hard to detect. Self-harm can become addictive. It may start off as an impulse or something you do to feel more in control, but soon it feels like the cutting or self-harming is controlling you. It often turns into a compulsive behavior that seems impossible to stop. Self-harm and cutting don’t help you with the issues that made you want to hurt yourself in the first place.

Help?
The first step for seeking help is to confide in another person. It can be scary to seek help from another person. Yet it can be a huge relief to finally let go of your secret and share what you worked so hard to keep. Deciding whom you can trust with such personal information can be difficult. Choose someone who isn’t going to gossip or try to take control of your recovery. It could be a friend, teacher, religious leader, counselor, or relative. But you don’t necessarily have to choose someone you are close to.  Ask yourself who in your life makes you feel accepted and supported. Eventually, you will open up to your circle of friends and family members, but sometimes it's easier talking to an adult that you have respect for. 
Self-Harm Chat Online: http://www.remedylive.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwmPKeBRCj4bOro6nBitABEiQABa2FJGh5_ZltROoOtvXPgdqIcvY76EHkLmkK8J6AP69GNQsaAnzw8P8HAQ



Trying to Commit Suicide:
How to help someons whos is suicidal? A suicial person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. Most of those who want to be suicidal don't  actually want to die, they just want to stop hurting inside. Approximately 1 million people die each yeat from suicide. It's difficult to understand what drives so may individuals to take their own lives. But a suicidal person is in so much pain that he or she can see no other option. Blinded by feelings or self-loathing, hopelessness, and isolation can a suicidal person see no other way of finding except throug death. Most suicidal people are deeply conflicted about ending their own lives. They wish there was an alternative to committing suicide, but they can't see on. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize the signd and know how to respond if you spot them. If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in sicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care and help them get a doctor or psychologist involved. Talking or writing a lot about death or dying, and seeking out things that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as weapons or drugs. These siginals are even more dangerous if the person has a mood disorder such as depression.

 

Help? If you spot the warning signs of suicide in someone you care about, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to say anything. What if you’re wrong? What if the person gets angry? In such situations, it's natural to feel uncomfortable or afraid. But anyone who talks about suicide or shows other warning signs needs immediate help—the sooner the better. Talking to a friend or family member about their suicidal thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult for anyone. Giving a suicidal person the opportunity to express his or her feelings can provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings, and may prevent a suicide attempt. 

Ways to start a conversation about suicide:

• I have been feeling concerned about you lately.
• Recently, I have noticed some differences in you and wondered how you are doing.
• I wanted to check in with you because you haven’t seemed yourself lately.

Questions you can ask:

• When did you begin feeling like this?
• Did something happen that made you start feeling this way?
• How can I best support you right now?
• Have you thought about getting help?

What you can say that helps:

• You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.
• You may not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change.
• I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.
• When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold off for just one more day, hour, minute—whatever you can manage.