Self-committing for suicide help?

Question

I've struggled with depression since a child, but it gets worse and worse each year. It costs me jobs, relationships, and i'm just so tired of it all. I seem to stumble from dilemma to dilemma and after leaving my last job I'm out of cash and homeless in a few days. Unemployment is dragging it's feet and won't kick in for another month but I've just had it - and set this weekend to do it via knife. Relatively sure I can do it, but what type of help is out there? Calling some hotline and getting feelgood talk won't change a thing, going to a local hospital for 2 days of medicine and happyhappyjoyjoy speeches won't change 30 years of depression - I feel that I need a few months in a setting that ensures change and retraining how I think and feel. Do such places even exist?

I was infantry, been a cop and worked in corrections for years, have worked security for the last few years. Makes it rough to seek someone out and say hi - i'm mentally defective somehow, can you certify that please?

All good answers and mostly helpful, maybe I will pack a bag in the morning and just walk away from everything and head to a hospital tomorrow. Maybe. I still think they won't do more than make an appointment for me to give some fluids and take some tests, and suggest a weekly self-help group via pamphlets. Hopefully they'll prove me wrong. Irregardless, I thank you all for your answers.

Answer 1

I have gone through EVERYTHING you have, still here though. Forget the phone, just walk to the nearest hospital, tell them you're going to kill yourself. tell them what ever you have to even exaggerate if you have to make them admit you. It won't change your problems but you will be safe, stress free, and cared about. Don't be in a rush to leave rest, rest, rest. they will help you work things out. they have the contacts to help you with EVERYTHING! been there done that... it works.

Answer 2

(sorry this is long but I am speaking from experience) Very few places keep you longer than a few days. they stabilize you and then send you for outpatient treatment. I have been in mental health hospitals about 30 times (just got out)..usual stay is 7-10 days depending on how you do on your meds..IF you are suicidal they CANNOT turn you down for admission. IT is illegal..whether you can pay or not (if that is an issue)...They have group therapy that will help you deal with some of the things you are struggling with. There is a stigma attached. ON tv it shows people in straight jackets, heavily medicated, running into walls, hittling themselves.. Rest assured..it is NOT that way. they have TV's, phones, etc. They can carry on normal conversations like me and you (most of them).. It won't fix 30 years of depression..You can't fix in 1 year what has taken place over 30 but it's a start...that is why they recommend outpatient therapy. You would be amazed at how much being with people who really UNDERSTAND how you feel for a few days can make you feel. In the real world most people don't understand and in there they do...GL

Answer 3

Please go to the hospital! With as desperate as you sound, there is about a 100% chance they will admit you. Probably for a least a week. There are day treatment programs where you go during the day (like 8-3ish) and come home in the evening. Some hospitals have them. When you go to the hospital, tell them specifically what you think you need. And if they offer something less, don't leave the hospital until they come up with a better treatment plan!

Answer 4

I understand how tough it is to live with and deall with depression but taking your life isn't the answer. I understand that it may seem like life is too painful to deal with and I have a feeling that you don't really want to die...you just want a better quality life.

You mentioned military service; have you contacted the VA for any type of longer term treatment facility?

I don't know what state you live in or what type of insurance you have but there are residential treatment places for people with mental illness. The good ones are rather costly but your insurance might cover it. These are the only ones that I could find at this time.

http://bridgestorecovery.com/

http://www.sierratucson.com/programs_mooddsrdrs.php?source=overture&kw=treatment+for+depression

If you're really feeling like taking your life, what you need to do is go to the ER, NOW. Then, once you feel more stable and are discharged it sounds like you could really benefit from cognitive therapy. When you mentioned "retraining" I think you hit it right on the head because since this is a pattern with you and you haven't been finding relief it sounds like you really need to work on better coping skills and ways to deal with overwhelming emotions.

This is a pretty good article about cognitive therapy
http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/cognitive.htm

The reason that cognitive therapy is so important is that once anyone gets out of a treatment facility, they're back in the same situation that they just left and without strong skills and a good support system (therapist, groups, etc) they'll often slide right back into thought of self-harm and suicide.

DBT was a type of therapy that was a great help to me. It's often geared toward people with borderline personality disorder but it can be helpful to anyone who is depressed and often feels suicidal.
This site describes what DBT is all about
http://bipolar.about.com/cs/menu_treat/a/aa031016.htm

This is a site for St. Lukes Hospital in New York that offers intensive DBT treatment. Even if you don't live in the area, you can call them and ask for assistance in finding a DBT treatment center in your area.
http://www.whpnyc.org/Referrallist.htm#DBT

The ball is in your court as far as whether you want to improve your life or not and it sounds like at some level that you do. It can take time and a lot of work but it's possible to not only get help but to also live a good quality life.

I hope this helps...take care of yourself.

Answer 5

Mental health institutes will help you. THey carry a stigma but they have wonderful programs. I am a nursing student doing my clinicals at the state mental health facility. There are many treatments for depression. Usually there is a chemical imbalance that medications can relieve. You need to go somewhere like that and tell them that you are seriously considering suicide. THey will help you. Don't end the road until you have explored all your possible solutions. People don't realize how many they hurt and leave behind. Even if you don't believe anyone will feel that way, they WILL. I have had a couple of family members commit suicide and it was devastating on our entire family. Best of luck to you, don't give up!!!

Answer 6

The fact that you acknowledge that you're depressed and that your suicide attempt (which i sincerely hope you don't go through with) is a good thing in itself. From what you say, you're right, it's as if the sh1t's hit the fan when one never seems to be able to catch a break from a chain of negativity. But seeing as you know you're in this situation makes me inclined to say that part of the solution could lie with you. You need to get your mind right by really asking yourself why you're unhappy and what would bring you out of this. This isn't based on a professional medical experience but just my opinion. If you can manage it financially, you should just get away for a while. Just you and without the surroundings or people that I'm sure you associate with your depression. Once you're in a better place in your mind, i think then you should seek the kind of place you're looking for because from the sound of things, right now any help you're given would be rejected based on the level of depression you're at. Where you appear to be now, isn't a place that's easy to get out of and subconciously, i think you'll just reject any help at this stage.

Like i said, i really hope you don't do it this weekend or ever. It's hard to listen to anything like that right now but like i said, try and get away from everything and everyone for a while and get your mind right. Good luck and i hope this helped.

Answer 7

Suicide is not the right answer for depression, dear. Please consider the alternatives. Go to the hospital and tell them your plan. They will help you find a mental health facility (and yes, they do thankfully exist!) Don't let them put you off because they are busy or don't understand your problem. Don't leave the hospital until you feel better. Please let me know that you have decided to choose life, I'm praying for your recovery. Meds and therapy are wonderful helpers to getting back to where you want to be in life. Good luck and God Bless!

Answer 8

going to a mental hospital for a reprieve can help. if you are in a mental hospital signed in by yourself then they wil diagnose you and try and help. for a person getting sent rather than signing in with their own consent the ywill keep you for at least three days trying to determine how bad you are. goign to a hospital and getting diagnosed can help you and being there without just leaving after a few days can help. if you dont fake being happy and you really share all your feelings they will probably keep you longer if you are really that bad.

Answer 9

You need to contact a mental health clinic, get a referral to a state mental facility and get on the proper medication and stay on it. Taking any medication for a couple of days then dropping it only messes you up worse.

Answer 10

You can have a hole surgically drilled into your head to improve blood circulation. I think it's outlawed in the U.S. but, I'm pretty sure there's a place in Mexico that does it. I saw it on Ripley's Believe it or Not and the lady swore that it worked. Her problem was almost the same as yours. I would only try it as a last resort though...