I thought I would do a post for you all on mental health crisis. This is an important topic and not one that should be shied away from. In the UK, suicide death rates have been rising. Overall, UK deaths by suicide rose by 10.9% in 2018, and these rates continue to rise.

So what do we need to be aware of?

Despite your best efforts to manage your mental health, your symptoms may progress further and become overwhelming. Rather than “tough it out” or “get on with it”, please do reach out support. Here are some ways you can tackle crisis: call your GP, have a medication review, contact other health professionals, spend time with someone who cares about you, do something nurturing for yourself, monitor your thoughts in a journal.

Protective Factors

Accept that you will have setbacks, be prepared for them with a tool kit of self care, and a safety plan (discussed below). Make an effort to maintain your well-being; my post on depression gives you some tips. Please reach out for professional support. Develop social support networks. Family and friends. Helpful coping techniques.

Thoughts of Self-Harm and Suicide

Firstly, remember that there is a reason why you feel like harming yourself. You’re not “crazy”, there’s nothing “wrong” with you as a person, as a human being; you’ve been through, and are still going through an incredibly difficult time. But these feelings and thoughts are temporary. Where there is life, there is hope. When these feelings and thoughts occur, please, PLEASE, reach out. There are things you can do, and people that want to support you. DON’T PANIC! These feelings and thoughts will pass with the right support, they’re triggered by feelings of pain, despair and hopelessness. These feelings can be managed. When these feelings occur, revert back to your safety plan.

Safety Plan

Tell someone that you trust about how you’re feeling. Although it often feels like no one cares, or no one wants to help, that’s the depression talking. People do want to support you. Speak with a close friend or family member. Speak to your GP or a mental health professional. If you cannot talk about it, write it down. Use things that have worked for you in the past. Avoid driving, drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs. Don’t listen or watch anything that exacerbates your sadness. Have a list of numbers that you can call (see list below).

Mental Health Emergency

Follow your safety plan if you have made one. Being prepared in times of crisis can help you to feel some sense of control, at a time when everything feels out of your control. Make an emergency appointment with your GP or your allocated mental health professional. Go to your local A&E, they will have a team dedicated to those in need of crisis support. If there is immediate danger, CALL 999 – lots of people think that they can’t do this, but you can. If you don’t believe that you can keep yourself safe, call them, you’re potentially in danger. If you’re worried about someone else, and are worried that they are in crisis, seek support from your local council’s social services team.

Helpful Contacts

Samaritans: call 116 123

Papyrus: call 0800 068 414

SANEline: call 0300 304 7000

Crisis Text Line: text 8528

NHS Direct: call 0845 46 47

I hope that even just one person finds this helpful. Remember, you’re not alone.

– Laura