What to do **content warning self-harm** Title edited by MNHQ

[Roomyroom]

Hi.

I suffer from depression and anxiety due to childhood abuse. I'm also perimenopausal and struggling with mh due to that.

I've been cutting my arm and this morning I very nearly cut my face. I stopped myself because people would see it and people knowing anything about me is my worst nightmare.

Should I ring my GP? If I do will they take me away or take my kids away? I know I need help but I'm scared what will happen.

Call you GP, got some help. how deep is cut to your arm?can you clean it and cover it?or does it need treatment?
Call GP or Mental health emergency service
Go to A&E they have crisis and emergency service available to support people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and who need help quickly. The service can be accessed through your GP and by calling 111

Part of my Post is missing.i of course asked if you’re ok

I'm going through a difficult time myself just now. You need to reach out for help. No one will take your kids away if they are not at risk. Call your gp tomorrow morning first thing get a same day appointment. Do you have a trusted person who can come and be with you? Call them if so. I hope you are OK, I know how tortured you must be feeling just now.

Thank you for replying, even your responses have helped so thank you.

The cuts aren't deep, i'll attach a photo. I'll phone my GP tomorrow. My youngest is 16 and my mum lives nearby. I'm working so I can't take time off. I'm just scared I'm losing my mind.

You can ask GP for support, go make an appt get your arm dressed

If you’re working clean the wound and cover it with a non adhesive dressing. Superdrug,Boots any supermarket sell them

A GP will only refer to C&F if there is a concern about children welfare and/or your parenting Any referral to C&F will be screened, assessed and graded on Need for intervention. Let me reassure you it will not immediately escalate to removal of children.

Thank you so much.

They won't take you away, I can tell you from personal experience that its hard to get admitted even when you are actively suicidal. Your kids are not in danger so they won't be taken into care. Your GP will help you, not judge you so make the appointment.

I will ring tomorrow. You've all helped thank you.

The least restrictive option is always the treatment goal eg crisis team visits, supervised medications etc if that’s the safe option
Do get a GP appt, get help you need

Take care

Hi OP, I’m so pleased you could post here and I do hope you find this supportive .. there are some good people on the Internet with good hearts and a lot of experience to draw on.

What do you need right now to feel a little safer? I’m not going to say feel better becuase I imagine you’ve been feeling like crap and with so much pain inside it’s had no where to go...

I self harm sometimes too and I’ve also had the urge to hurt my face, did once... trying to explain that away in a senior role at work was very hard.. tbh everyone knew which was horrific and humiliating for me.

Shout text line helped, they were really very good at helping me find distractions and create my own safety plan. I don’t know if you have access to an EAP through work or perhaps you live in an area which finds big white wall or qwell?

I know it might feel like it but you aren’t alone with this.