Someone Else Has Been Here T00
This story has been shared with permission in the hope that someone else may feel a little less alone. Every journey is unique, and we invite you to take what you need and leave the rest.
Healing in Progress
Shared with courage by
Kianna
Topics:
Depression, Self-harm, Suicide, Adolescent
1 minute read
Just two days after my birthday, you would have thought that I would have been happy to turn 16. Every girl dreams of having a Sweet 16, but for me, I was struggling with suicidal thoughts and manic episodes. I felt like I couldn't tell anyone, so I kept it all a secret. I acted like I was happy, but underneath it all, I was struggling more than anyone knew.
I eventually reached out to my therapist because I was scared of what I might do. She wasn't immediately available, so I called a crisis hotline instead. I talked to a woman there for about 20 minutes, but I still didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. Eventually, she offered to send the police to my house for a welfare check, and I agreed.
While I was waiting, I reached a point where I acted on my thoughts and took an overdose. Then there was a knock at the door. I was in tears. The same police officers who arrived had been to my house during a previous crisis, so they already knew that I had been struggling with my mental health. We sat down and talked, and they could tell that something wasn't right. Eventually, I told them what I had done.
Everything happened so quickly after that. My mum was contacted and I was taken to the Emergency Room, where I received treatment before being transferred to a psychiatric hospital for a few days.
When I was released, I went home to my parents.
Looking back, I am incredibly thankful that I am still here today. I am happy, but I still struggle with learning how to manage my mental health and understand what I need when things become difficult.
I don't have everything figured out, but I'm learning and I'm still here.
"I eventually reached out to my therapist because I was scared of what I might do. She wasn't immediately available, so I called a crisis hotline instead. I talked to a woman there for about 20 minutes, but I still didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. "
Reaching out to a crisis line and letting the Police help me was my best decision. It was nice to feel like someone cared and that they would sit and listen to me when i needed help.
Reach out for help if you need it - talk to a crisis line, call a friend, tell someone. You don't have to do this alone.
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