Is there a way to get help without being sectioned?

[Square]

I do have a suicide plan but I probably won't be able to do it for at least 4 months. I can sometimes be impulsive though.

 

[GlassMoon]

I think this depends on where you are and how worried your mental health professionals are about you. If you want them to help you, you could test the waters by opening up step-by-step. You could mention a passive ideation (hoping that a car might hit you, for example), and then gauge their reaction. Ideally, they will ask what specifically causes the ideation and then help you solve the issue. In some countries, there are crisis teams which come to visit you. But your mileage may vary, as other members may have made bad experiences when opening up.

 

[Square]

I haven't talked to any mental health professionals at all. Not a word.

 

[LastNite]

I haven't talked to any mental health professionals at all. Not a word.

You could start seeing a Therapist. Look up around you for a therapist and book an appointment. If you can't find any then you could ask your Primary Care Doctor.
You wont be put in a mental health ward unless you show actual intent that you'll harm yourself or others. Saying "I feel like I want to kill myself" doesn't mean that you're at immediate risk. They'll ask what is making you feel that way and other questions to map out the risks.

You clearly want help. So tell them everything. That's the only way to get help from them.

 

[Square]

You could start seeing a Therapist. Look up around you for a therapist and book an appointment. If you can't find any then you could ask your Primary Care Doctor.
You wont be put in a mental health ward unless you show actual intent that you'll harm yourself or others. Saying "I feel like I want to kill myself" doesn't mean that you're at immediate risk. They'll ask what is making you feel that way and other questions to map out the risks.

You clearly want help. So tell them everything. That's the only way to get help from them.

But wouldn't my suicide plan make them lock me up? And I have attempted suicide a few times before didn't get any damage from it and I haven't told anyone.

 

[LastNite]

But wouldn't my suicide plan make them lock me up? And I have attempted suicide a few times before didn't get any damage from it and I haven't told anyone.

Not necessarily, a plan is something to consider. But if you have no means to achieve that plan then they won't hospitalize you.
Having means to suicide is a big one. Access to a gun, meds, a roof or anything that you could use to commit makes them believe you are a risk
to yourself. Not every therapist wants to lock you up. Their job is to help you get over those feelings.

They might also consider your intent. If your intent is high then thats a risk. Such as "I want to kill myself and I plan to do so soon." If you heard that you would believe that person is going to kill themselves soon and that they have what it takes to do so.

Previous attempts is another thing they'll take into consideration. For me I attempted with OTC meds when I was 16 still in Highschool. That wasnt my plan though. I was going to cut an artery with a knife (Otc meds were just extra harm) but couldnt so I just called 911 on myself. After I was out of the hospital and the psych ward. I lost access to meds ofc but not to knives. I had an easier time taking meds but not cutting. My intent to cut is low. My Intent to OD is high.

I dont know if this is helpful but thats all I got. Each therapist is different. Sometimes they just believe their gut feeling. They map out the chances of you actually harming yourself. If there isnt that much of a risk then they cant really lock you up.

 

[Square]

Not necessarily, a plan is something to consider. But if you have no means to achieve that plan then they won't hospitalize you.
Having means to suicide is a big one. Access to a gun, meds, a roof or anything that you could use to commit makes them believe you are a risk
to yourself. Not every therapist wants to lock you up. Their job is to help you get over those feelings.

They might also consider your intent. If your intent is high then thats a risk. Such as "I want to kill myself and I plan to do so soon." If you heard that you would believe that person is going to kill themselves soon and that they have what it takes to do so.

Previous attempts is another thing they'll take into consideration. For me I attempted with OTC meds when I was 16 still in Highschool. That wasnt my plan though. I was going to cut an artery with a knife (Otc meds were just extra harm) but couldnt so I just called 911 on myself. After I was out of the hospital and the psych ward. I lost access to meds ofc but not to knives. I had an easier time taking meds but not cutting. My intent to cut is low. My Intent to OD is high.

I dont know if this is helpful but thats all I got. Each therapist is different. Sometimes they just believe their gut feeling. They map out the chances of you actually harming yourself. If there isnt that much of a risk then they cant really lock you up.

Thank you.

 

[U. A.]

Non-traditional support might be what you want if you feel a strong need to be detailed. Models like peer support/informal counselling don't necessarily need to follow the same code of "duty to report" which is a legal obligation many practitioners are under. The problem is it's interpretation - if they think you are reasonably likely to harm yourself, it's on them to throw you in the brig.
Not all models are like this. You'd wanna vet someone because anyone can be shitty but community counselling, especially that accustomed to working with marginalised populations, tends to be much more accommodating of intense shit.

 

[Square]

Non-traditional support might be what you want if you feel a strong need to be detailed. Models like peer support/informal counselling don't necessarily need to follow the same code of "duty to report" which is a legal obligation many practitioners are under. The problem is it's interpretation - if they think you are reasonably likely to harm yourself, it's on them to throw you in the brig.
Not all models are like this. You'd wanna vet someone because anyone can be shitty but community counselling, especially that accustomed to working with marginalised populations, tends to be much more accommodating of intense shit.

Thank you

 

[Square]

Non-traditional support might be what you want if you feel a strong need to be detailed. Models like peer support/informal counselling don't necessarily need to follow the same code of "duty to report" which is a legal obligation many practitioners are under. The problem is it's interpretation - if they think you are reasonably likely to harm yourself, it's on them to throw you in the brig.
Not all models are like this. You'd wanna vet someone because anyone can be shitty but community counselling, especially that accustomed to working with marginalised populations, tends to be much more accommodating of intense shit.

Also, do you have any recommendations?

 

[U. A.]

Depends entirely on where you live. Some terms to search might be "community counselling", "peer support" and the like. Ones that operate outside the umbrella of the medical institution are probably better, but they can be good and those that are separate can also be bad. Then of course it's up to the practitioner.
You can always ask flat out for them to explain their duty to report process, but it still is probably wise to ease your way into it. Do not let on that you have a plan, date, method, use this site, or anything of the sort. Be very general.

 

[Square]

Depends entirely on where you live. Some terms to search might be "community counselling", "peer support" and the like. Ones that operate outside the umbrella of the medical institution are probably better, but they can be good and those that are separate can also be bad. Then of course it's up to the practitioner.
You can always ask flat out for them to explain their duty to report process, but it still is probably wise to ease your way into it. Do not let on that you have a plan, date, method, use this site, or anything of the sort. Be very general.

Ty

 

[Dot]

Online Support and Recovery Meeting Groups

Many people who cannot access or afford standard therapy might find some help in video meetings and classes with online support groups and organisations. This information is not designed to be a replacement for professional therapy but for many will also be much better than nothng. Some of...

sanctioned-suicide.net

Abve r internatnl onlne spport grps fr rnge of MH issus & strggles - sme of thm hve vdeo callng etc & sme = jst txt bt mght b gd strt

Also u cn dwn-ld a crsis pln frm lnk

If u strt wth thngs lke tht bt thn contct a professnl & tll thm tht u hve suicdl thghts bt hve bn lookng fr spport & fillng in crsis plns etc thn thy wld cnsidr u mre lkely t/ N-gage wth treatmnt

Bt as othrs sd - mst plces wll nt sectn u unlss u r showng sgns of immedi8 rsk

Also am nt sre whre u r frm bt 'sectn' = wrd usd frequntly in UK & gettng sectnd thre = v diffclt bcse thre r nt enuf bds s/ thy wll nt sectn u unlss thy thnk u r goin2 attmpt imminntly or hve psychoss

S/ imo try GP bt also lk onlne fr sme therpsts if u cn bcse standrd NHS treatmnt = mstly CBT whch cn b usefl fr sme bt nt alwys fr deepr issus

 

[Square]

Online Support and Recovery Meeting Groups

Many people who cannot access or afford standard therapy might find some help in video meetings and classes with online support groups and organisations. This information is not designed to be a replacement for professional therapy but for many will also be much better than nothng. Some of...

sanctioned-suicide.net

Abve r internatnl onlne spport grps fr rnge of MH issus & strggles - sme of thm hve vdeo callng etc & sme = jst txt bt mght b gd strt

Also u cn dwn-ld a crsis pln frm lnk

If u strt wth thngs lke tht bt thn contct a professnl & tll thm tht u hve suicdl thghts bt hve bn lookng fr spport & fillng in crsis plns etc thn thy wld cnsidr u mre lkely t/ N-gage wth treatmnt

Bt as othrs sd - mst plces wll nt sectn u unlss u r showng sgns of immedi8 rsk

Also am nt sre whre u r frm bt 'sectn' = wrd usd frequntly in UK & gettng sectnd thre = v diffclt bcse thre r nt enuf bds s/ thy wll nt sectn u unlss thy thnk u r goin2 attmpt imminntly or hve psychoss

S/ imo try GP bt also lk onlne fr sme therpsts if u cn bcse standrd NHS treatmnt = mstly CBT whch cn b usefl fr sme bt nt alwys fr deepr issus

Thank you.

 

[rainwillneverstop]

Online Support and Recovery Meeting Groups

Many people who cannot access or afford standard therapy might find some help in video meetings and classes with online support groups and organisations. This information is not designed to be a replacement for professional therapy but for many will also be much better than nothng. Some of...

sanctioned-suicide.net

Abve r internatnl onlne spport grps fr rnge of MH issus & strggles - sme of thm hve vdeo callng etc & sme = jst txt bt mght b gd strt

Also u cn dwn-ld a crsis pln frm lnk

If u strt wth thngs lke tht bt thn contct a professnl & tll thm tht u hve suicdl thghts bt hve bn lookng fr spport & fillng in crsis plns etc thn thy wld cnsidr u mre lkely t/ N-gage wth treatmnt

Bt as othrs sd - mst plces wll nt sectn u unlss u r showng sgns of immedi8 rsk

Also am nt sre whre u r frm bt 'sectn' = wrd usd frequntly in UK & gettng sectnd thre = v diffclt bcse thre r nt enuf bds s/ thy wll nt sectn u unlss thy thnk u r goin2 attmpt imminntly or hve psychoss

S/ imo try GP bt also lk onlne fr sme therpsts if u cn bcse standrd NHS treatmnt = mstly CBT whch cn b usefl fr sme bt nt alwys fr deepr issus

"translation"

Above are International online support groups for range of mental health struggles - some of them have video calling etc, and some are just text but might be a good start.

Also you can download a crisis plan from here (link)

If you start with things like that but then contact a professional and tell them that you have suicidal thoughts, but have been looking for support and filling a crisis plan etc, then they would consider you more likely to engage with treatment.

But as others said - most places will not section unless you are showing signs of immediate risk.

Also I'm not sure where you are from but 'section' is a word used commonly in UK and getting sectioned there is very difficult, because there are not enough beds so they will not section you unless they think you are going to attempt immediately, or have psychosis.

So in my opinion try GP, but also look online for some therapists if you can because standard NHS treatment is mostly CBT, which can be useful for some but not always deeper issues.

 

[Square]

"translation"

Above are International online support groups for range of mental health struggles - some of them have video calling etc, and some are just text but might be a good start.

Also you can download a crisis plan from here (link)

If you start with things like that but then contact a professional and tell them that you have suicidal thoughts, but have been looking for support and filling a crisis plan etc, then they would consider you more likely to engage with treatment.

But as others said - most places will not section unless you are showing signs of immediate risk.

Also I'm not sure where you are from but 'section' is a word used commonly in UK and getting sectioned there is very difficult, because there are not enough beds so they will not section you unless they think you are going to attempt immediately, or have psychosis.

So in my opinion try GP, but also look online for some therapists if you can because standard NHS treatment is mostly CBT, which can be useful for some but not always deeper issues.

Thank you.