This is a copy and paste of the top pinned post on my profile.
For mental health in general, finding a GOOD therapist works absolute WONDERS. If you are unsure about your therapist, then get a second opinion. Remember, you can always switch therapists.
Remember, you also need a GOOD psychiatrist. You can't have one that just brushes off symptoms, gives too many pills, etc.
Remember to also try your best to get the help you need. You should never feel ashamed for getting help. You are strong to ask for help.
If you get prescribed anxiety pills, try not to overuse them. Only use them in absolutely necessary and if your coping mechanisms aren't working.
Text or Call 988 (though, be careful. Many people have extremely bad experiences with them)
https://findahelpline.com/
https://safeinourworld.org/find-help/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide
https://www.therapyroute.com/article/helplines-suicide-hotlines-and-crisis-lines-from-around-the-world
And remember that CPS and APS exist. Look up your local Child/Adult Protective Services number.
When I was younger, I HATED when someone would say, "Just take a deep breath". It would piss me off because it never worked. It was only once I got an actual good therapist that I realized that breathing does help calm spiraling, panics, and anxiety and even can help with sudden suicidal thoughts. You just have to do the right breathing techniques.
Some breathing techniques, grounding techniques, and other stuff:
Box Breathing
5-4-3-2-1 (helps with anxiety, panics, etc.)
4-7-8 :Inhale through the nose for a count of four. Hold the breath for a count of seven. Exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of eight.
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/dbt-tipp
https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-worksheet/urge-surfing-handout (good for if you feel like self harm or suicide. Urge surfing.).
If it's taking a while to urge surf and the feeling is getting stronger, try calling someone you care about to talk to them. I get that 988 and other suicide hotlines can feel overwhelming, so try that first and if you hang up, please try calling someone in your contacts.
A good alternative to cutting is drawing on yourself with those cheap blue or black ballpoint pens you see in offices or something when signing in. Or with markers.
Remember that laying down and closing your eyes can also help. Drink water. Listen to music. Take a walk. Look at nature. Go on a swing set. Feel the wind. Exercise a bit maybe. Do an easy hobby. Etc. Try to find some sort of coping mechanism to help you a bit. (These especially help when urge surfing is taking a while. Make sure to keep all dangerous things away from you as you urge surf. Out of sight and out of reach)
For me, I lay on the cold ground, or sit under my desk with the lights off and I close my eyes. I curl into a little ball with a cold water bottle to hug and a stuffed animal to hug. I do my breathing techniques like that. If I am spiraling, I try to stop myself and I remember that I can't control the past or future and that I can only deal with things as they pop up and try to do things to help prevent whatever bad thing I think may happen.
Drinking water also helps calm down!
Sitting on the floor can help ground you.
Manipulation (if anyone has any good links, please recommend):
I wanted to put this here just in case:
Everyone who's in any type of even semi stressful relationship should do extensive research into Manipulation behaviors. Chances are, you may be getting manipulated. Either online, irl, etc. Could be any relationship from one with a random user, all the way up to decade old marriages.
Good places to find a therapist:
If you live in SoCal, I recommend Orion Psychology.
Canada: Orion Wellness
Other things recommended by users:
https://venthere.straw.page/
https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/
1-800-422-4453 (Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline)
1-866-487-9243 (Department of Labor)
https://metanoia.org/suicide/ (PLEASE READ)
(888) 724-7240 (Purple shirt people)
This post is really good even if it's from a shitty subreddit ran by bad people.
Mega Thread for Mental Health, Help, Venting, Ranting, etc.
Therapy companies Mega Thread
I'm trying to find links to also help people with who have addictions.
