Anxiety management Archives - Page 3 of 3

World Suicide Prevention Day

Your Mind Matters on 07/09/2016

This post was written for World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September 2016. The figures quoted below were the ones published at that time and have since been revised. For current Australian data, see the Australian Bureau of Statistics; for current global data, see the World Health Organization. The support services listed at the end of this post were checked in August 2026.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 800,000 people in the world die by suicide each year – that’s one person every 40 seconds.

Facts about suicide in Australia

Suicide is the leading cause of death for men and women between the ages of 15–44
The population death rates are around 10/100,000 people every year
Annual number of deaths by suicide in Australia is around 2,500 each year
65,000 plan or attempt to take their life each year
400,000 people think about taking their life each year
The Global Burden of Disease Report cited 36 million years of healthy life were lost as a result of suicide in 2010

The tragic ripple effect means that there are many, many more people who have been bereaved by suicide or have been close to someone who have tried to take his or her own life, as well as those struggling to manage suicidal ideation.

World Suicide Prevention Day is marked every year on 10 September. To find an event near you in Australia, visit Suicide Prevention Australia’s World Suicide Prevention Day page. To see what is planned across the globe, visit the IASP World Suicide Prevention Day events calendar.

If you need help

Getting through difficulties on your own can be difficult. Talk to friends, family, your doctor, other health professionals or a telephone helpline. The services below can provide support and point you in the right direction if you need further help.

Emergency services 000 – if life is in danger.
Lifeline 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14 – crisis support and suicide prevention, 24 hours a day.
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 – free professional counselling if you, or someone you know, is feeling suicidal. Available 24 hours a day for people aged 15 and over.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 – free counselling for children and young people aged 5 to 25, about anything that is going on in life.
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 – support for anxiety, depression and related concerns, 24 hours a day.

More options are on our resources page, or you can call the clinic on (03) 9802 4654.

Dealing with Catastrophic Thinking

Your Mind Matters on 29/04/2016

Us humans are great at worrying and churning things over and over (AND OVER!) in our minds. It’s a terrible, unhelpful habit that we have developed. And I know sometimes you may think that worrying helps you prepare for the worst, but this is not true…what DOES help, is problem solving.

So, want to know what to do about over thinking? Mel Selig suggests telling yourself the following statements:

1 – “It’s not happening now.” Yes, it’s certainly possible that a catastrophe could occur, but it’s not happening now. This phrase may help you see that, at least at this moment, you are safe.
2 – “Whatever happens, I can cope.” This statement reminds you of your own inner resources and gives you the determination to meet the challenges of life. (The concept comes from the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tradition.)
3 – “I am causing my own suffering. Could I stop?” The first part of this statement has its origins in Buddhism’s Four Noble Truths. The question, “Could I stop?” comes from motivational studies suggesting that asking yourself a question tends to be more motivating than simply saying, “I will stop,” or the judgmental, “Stop causing your own suffering!”—which only creates more suffering.

Asking, “Could I stop?” helps you see that you have a choice. Of course, if there truly is a catastrophe headed your way—divorce, a death in the family, or natural disaster—the best thing to ask yourself is, “How could I best prepare for this event?” Planning your action steps relieves your anxiety (problem solving).

If your catastrophic thoughts are impairing your ability to sleep, concentrate, work or socialise, you may need a little more support. Psychologists are extremely familiar with the ol’ “what if” thinking (yes, we also have these thoughts!) and can provide you with more assistance and support. Give us a call and let us give you a helping hand.

See original post here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/changepower/201310/3-ways-stop-imagining-the-worst