Feeling on the Edge? Helping you get through it

1 1 Help is at handFeeling on theEdge? Helping youget through itThe Royal College of Psychiatrists2 About this leafletThe person who gave you this leaflet isconcerned about how you might be Feeling and that you might feel like harming you are so distressed, it can feel asthough no one else really wants to know orunderstand. It can be hard to believe thatsomeone you haven't met before can careabout your situation. But there are people whodo want to listen and understand. They willwant to help leaflet is for you. It will help youunderstand what is going on and about the help you can could ever understand?

2 It can be hard to share private thoughts andfeelings, but it can help and can be the bestway of getting through a bad time. Whateverthe reasons for your being in the EmergencyDepartment (also called A&E), healthprofessionals care about trying to understandyou. They want to help you cope with what'sgoing on in your life and help you to find waysto manage and find answers to your it s happened before, and nothing'schanged? Self-harm can be a way of coping it is notalways possible to stop right away. But perhapswe can help you to find less harmful ways of3coping. We'd also like to help you sort out theproblems behind your distress.

3 If you are not yetready to do this, that's OK; just keep his leafletin a safe place until you are am in the Emergency Department whatwill happen next?You are about to be seen by a nurse or adoctor. He or she will listen to you and try tounderstand the difficulties that have brought youto the Emergency Department. They can offeryou any medical treatment you might can also talk with you about whether you'dlike to see a specialist in mental happens if I go to a specialist mentalhealth service?You meet an experienced listener who has hadspecialist training and has helped people withall sorts of problems.

4 They will have more timeto ask about the problems you are having, andwill do their best to help you get through will not be shocked by anything you tellthem and will not judge this help me?Just by talking about your worries, fears anddistress with someone you can trust can makeyou feel better. It can also help you to get thingsclearer in your mind, to feel more hopeful, andto think about possible else can I find support? It may feel as though you don't have anyoneyou can really talk to right now even friendsor family. But there may well be someone whois happy to listen to you but they do need toknow how you you have felt like harming yourself, it can behelpful to: tell a friend or relative; or contact your GP (family doctor); or contact one of the organisations listed below;or contact your care coordinator or mentalhealth team if you have one; or come back to the Emergency I help myself?

5 Yes, you can help yourself in lots of ways. Youcan start my making a 'safety plan' for 'safety plan' is a plan you make to help youkeep safe which includes what you can do foryourself and who you can speak to if you needsupport. It is more likely to work because youhave chosen the kind of support that you feelcomfortable young people under 18 especially those under 16It is important to find support from an adult youcan talk to and trust. Please don't feel that youhave to cope with all your problems young people will turn to their parents orcarers. If you feel you need support from5outside your immediate family, please thinkabout speaking to another relative, yourteacher, school counselor, school nurse, youthworker or your social worker (if you have one).

6 Support organisations for people who aredistressed, are experiencing suicidal thoughtsor who self-harm and their familiesAnything you tell them will be completelyconfidential. The volunteers are ordinary peoplewho won't judge you. Some of the most popularare listed below. You may contact as many oras few as you like it's up to you and it's OK tocontact more than :Tel: 08457 90 90 90 (24/7); 24/7 helpline service which gives you a safespace where you can talk about what ishappening, how you are Feeling , and how tofind your own way forward. Samaritansvolunteers are ordinary people from all walks oflife who understand that there are sometimesthings that you just cannot talk about to thepeople around you.

7 They know that very often,with some time and space, people are able tofind their own solution within HOPELineUK:Tel: 0800 068 41 41 (Mon to Fri 10am 5pmand 7pm 10pn & Weekends 2pm 5pm). aims to prevent young people takingtheir own lives. A professionally staffed helplineprovides support, practical advice andinformation both to young people worriedabout themselves, and to anyone concernedthat a young person may harm has a range of helpful resourcesincluding HOPELineUK contact cards or call01925 572444 or Fax 01925 240502 for a sample help for people who self-harmGet Connected:Tel: 080 8808 4994 (1pm to 11pm).

8 Help by telephone and email for youngpeople (under 25) who project dedicated to supporting young peoplewho are affected by offers information and support to all the UK's 16-25 year-olds. It includes specificsupport and advice about Self-Harm Support Community. It alsoprovides support for any emotional problems,in addition to specifically designed for children and young people Big White Wall: safe, online, anonymous service for peopleover the age of 16. Get the support of otherswho feel like you, 24/7, and learn ways to feelbetter and how to get on top of yourown Helpline(Wales): Tel: 0800 132 24/7 service offering free emotional supportand information/literature on mental health andrelated matters to people in Wales.

9 Text 'help' to : Campaign Against Living Miserably:Tel: 0800 585858. help via the website and a helpline for men aged 15-35 who 8are Feeling depressed or down. Callers areoffered support and information. Calls are free,confidential and anonymous. The helpline isopen from 5pm midnight, Sat, Sun, Mon andTues, every week of the year. London callersmay also call 0800 585858 or text 07537404717, begin the first text :Tel: 08000 111. you are worried about anything, it could besomething big or something small, don't bottleit up. It can really help if you talk to someone.

10 If there is something on your mind, ChildLine ishere for you. Consumer Counselling Credit online support service providinganonymous and practical advice about moneymatters and Bereavement Care: Helpline: 0844 477 9400; Alliance: Tel: 0845 123 23 , support and understanding forpeople who suffer with depression, and forrelatives who want to help. Self-help groups,information, and raising awareness for depression. Email: national mutual support group for peoplesuffering from depression. 0800 7 314 free and at anytime to talk to someone in : Infoline: 0300 123 3393 (Mon Fri 9am 6pm).