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Should I tell my family about my attempt?

EternalFlameSenior Contributor27 Mar 2018, 5:18 pm AEDT

Should I tell my family about my attempt?

Hello everyone, I haven't been around much of late.

That's because last month I had an attempt on my life (I'm not going into details about what happened, otherwise admin is gonna be on my back about it again.)

I've been coming to terms about what I did, and I've sought help from a new GP. So far the new GP is good, but I keep getting this nagging feeling that I should tell someone in my family about my attempt. I'm not sure whether I should or not, because I don't know how they're gonna react.

Everyone else is sort-of wrapped up in their own little worlds dealing with their own problems, so I'm afraid of 'upsetting the apple-cart' even more if I tell someone.

I don't know, I'm still confused about what to do and where to go from here.

3 replies

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In response to: Should I tell my family about my attempt?

HopefulturtleContributor27 Mar 2018, 7:43 pm AEDT

Re: Should I tell my family about my attempt?

Hey, sorry to hear you made an attempt - I’m glad you’re still around.
I don’t know your story or anything about your family but, would telling them help you? Both immediately and in the future?

In response to: Should I tell my family about my attempt?

NameUnknownSenior Contributor27 Mar 2018, 7:56 pm AEDT

Re: Should I tell my family about my attempt?

Hi @EternalFlame,
I'm not sure if this helps much my last attempt was 12years ago but i still get thoughts. I cant talk to my family honestly I feel they wouldnt handle it I got told by my therapist there must be one person whom i trust that i could talk to but its not about trust. My mother doesnt believe i have mental health issues and well i raised my siblings, i feel like it just wouldnt be right to put that hardship on them. I cant tell my partner because it links in with aspects of my past that im not ready for him to know. So i tell my therapist its doesnt completly shift the need to tell someone feels because they arent family but i get by with at least someone knows

In response to: Should I tell my family about my attempt?

QueenieSenior Contributor29 Mar 2018, 8:42 pm AEDT

Re: Should I tell my family about my attempt?

Hey @EternalFlame, I'm sorry to read things have been so bleak for you that you made an attempt to take your own life. I'm glad you have the support of a new GP however, so I do hope things improve for you soon.

As for telling your family about your attempt, I think only you can answer that. I understand what it is like to be torn in a situation like this, I've been there myself after an attempt. I so wanted my family to help me by showing love and support towards me, but at the same time, I didn't want to upset the apple cart. Truth be known, initially, when I was unwell I'd tell my family about it but after a while, I decided not to tell them because the response I got always made me feel even worse.

The best advice I can give you is to be kind to yourself.

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