If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. For Crisis Support (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Want to share your experience of using our Community?
We're collecting Community Case Studies which could be used on our website, on social media, shared with our volunteers, or shared with third parties who may be interested to hear how online communities help people.
Click here to fill out our anonymous form
We're collecting Community Case Studies which could be used on our website, on social media, shared with our volunteers, or shared with third parties who may be interested to hear how online communities help people.
Click here to fill out our anonymous form
Best Of
Re: could be cancer 😭
Have there been any updates @eylah? I can hear the importance of having a female for this scan, particularly with your history. It sounds difficult that this is reminding you of the past but we are all here to support you (including the medical professionals hopefully!) 
Re: could be cancer 😭
@eylah I'm sorry it's a scary time right now and you're especially feeling the absence of your mum. Your health and wellbeing are of the utmost importance, and I expect if you press for a female doctor with the reasoning that you are not comfortable with a male doctor, they can arrange that. I do the same because I'm not comfortable either! So you're definitely not alone there , and it won't be the first time they've been asked for that- they should do that for you 
For now, it sounds like they're being diligent by doing a thorough examination to rule it out- I've also been in that situation, and I found it helpful to focus on the first thing to hand: having a scan, and then going from there. There can be symptom overlap between less serious issues and more serious ones like cancer, so scans help them to take care of you and to not miss anything- to cover both the less serious and more serious scenarios.
It is especially hard to not have your loved one when you need them beside you the most. I'm really sorry, pain can be so tiring, particularly when combined with the upheaval of a scary medical experience. Sending a big hug your way.
We're here for you. X
, and it won't be the first time they've been asked for that- they should do that for you For now, it sounds like they're being diligent by doing a thorough examination to rule it out- I've also been in that situation, and I found it helpful to focus on the first thing to hand: having a scan, and then going from there. There can be symptom overlap between less serious issues and more serious ones like cancer, so scans help them to take care of you and to not miss anything- to cover both the less serious and more serious scenarios.
It is especially hard to not have your loved one when you need them beside you the most. I'm really sorry, pain can be so tiring, particularly when combined with the upheaval of a scary medical experience. Sending a big hug your way.
We're here for you. X
Re: i miss you mum 😭
I'm so very sorry @eylah. Losing someone as important as your mum is so incredibly tough, and it's okay to feel lost and overwhelmed. Please know that you're not useless - you're going through something really hard, and it doesn't make you weak. You're still here, you're still trying, and that says so much about your strength.
I know it's difficult when you don't feel supported by people close to you, especially your dad, but what I'm sure your mum would want most is for you to take care of yourself, even if it feels impossible right now. You're not alone, even if it feels that way. There are people who care about you and want to help, like us.
Your mum’s love for you is still with you, and it’s okay to hold onto that as you keep going, even when things are hard. You're not a failure, and taking things one step at a time is enough. You promised your mum you would try, and you're already doing that by reaching out and sharing how you're feeling. It’s okay to take it day by day, or even moment by moment. You’re stronger than you know.
I'm just pasting some links again to lovely services you can reach out to talk when you're ready, just so you have easy access to them:
Sending big hugs
I know it's difficult when you don't feel supported by people close to you, especially your dad, but what I'm sure your mum would want most is for you to take care of yourself, even if it feels impossible right now. You're not alone, even if it feels that way. There are people who care about you and want to help, like us.
Your mum’s love for you is still with you, and it’s okay to hold onto that as you keep going, even when things are hard. You're not a failure, and taking things one step at a time is enough. You promised your mum you would try, and you're already doing that by reaching out and sharing how you're feeling. It’s okay to take it day by day, or even moment by moment. You’re stronger than you know.
I'm just pasting some links again to lovely services you can reach out to talk when you're ready, just so you have easy access to them:
The Cruse National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement support volunteers, who offer free emotional support, information, and counselling to anyone affected by a bereavement. Their helpline number is 0808 808 1677 and it is open from Monday and Friday 9:30am-5pm; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:30am-8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am -2pm. They also have a webchat service open from 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday. For email support, you can contact them on helpline@cruse.org.uk. You can also visit their website.
Hope Again is a service for young people up to 25 who are affected by a bereavement. They're run by Cruse Bereavement Care and they offer support via phone, email & have online support through their website. They are open Monday-Friday from 9.30am-5pm, and stay open until 8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can call them on 0808 808 1677 or email them at hopeagain@cruse.org.uk
There's an organisation called Grief Encounter which aims to provide support to anyone who has suffered from a bereavement. They run a helpline and their website also contains helpful resources. They are open Monday - Friday from 9am - 9pm. You can call them on 0808 802 0111, email them at grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk or visit their website for their counselling service and more information.
Hope Again is a service for young people up to 25 who are affected by a bereavement. They're run by Cruse Bereavement Care and they offer support via phone, email & have online support through their website. They are open Monday-Friday from 9.30am-5pm, and stay open until 8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. You can call them on 0808 808 1677 or email them at hopeagain@cruse.org.uk
There's an organisation called Grief Encounter which aims to provide support to anyone who has suffered from a bereavement. They run a helpline and their website also contains helpful resources. They are open Monday - Friday from 9am - 9pm. You can call them on 0808 802 0111, email them at grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk or visit their website for their counselling service and more information.
Sending big hugs
Gemma
1
Re: ⏱️Action required! Opt-in by 11:00am on the 26th to keep your boards account and data
@AnonymousToe @independent_ @Rose113 I don't see any issues if you complete it more than once and that gives you peace of mind. You're always welcome to drop us a message if you're worried whether you've done it, and we can look into it.
Gemma
1
Re: self-harm urges
@toffuna101 you've been so brave to share this with us here. It sounds really frightening and upsetting to be hearing voices that tell you such horrible things about yourself.
You mention you're on medication, have you been able to reach out to your medical team to share that you're still experiencing these things? I wonder if they can put any plans in place to support you. I also wondered if you had any safety strategies or blocking strategies that could help block those voices out at all?
There are lots of lovely organisations who can specifically help with hearing voices. Some that might be useful include:
It also sounds really difficult that you're experiencing self-harm urges based on this. It's so brave of you to be reaching out for support and you're doing really well to look for that help. Mind has a great article with some tips on coping with urges to SH. There are also apps like Calm Harm and distrACT with tips and techniques on coping with SH which you might like to look into.
We're here if you'd like to share more about what you've been going through, and if you are ever worried about your safety, there are lots of lovely services you can reach out to for support:
Sending lots of strength
You mention you're on medication, have you been able to reach out to your medical team to share that you're still experiencing these things? I wonder if they can put any plans in place to support you. I also wondered if you had any safety strategies or blocking strategies that could help block those voices out at all?
There are lots of lovely organisations who can specifically help with hearing voices. Some that might be useful include:
The Voice Collective | call 020 7911 0822 or email info@voicecollective.co.uk. They have an online peer support forum, where you can connect in with others who are experiencing something similar to you and they also have tools on their website where you can select what difficult emotion you're experiencing currently, and it gives you relevant coping mechanisms.
Hearing Voices Network | call 0114 271 8210 or e-mail them on nhvn@hotmail.co.uk
Our article on hearing voices on our website
Our article on how to get support if you're hearing voices
It also sounds really difficult that you're experiencing self-harm urges based on this. It's so brave of you to be reaching out for support and you're doing really well to look for that help. Mind has a great article with some tips on coping with urges to SH. There are also apps like Calm Harm and distrACT with tips and techniques on coping with SH which you might like to look into.
We're here if you'd like to share more about what you've been going through, and if you are ever worried about your safety, there are lots of lovely services you can reach out to for support:
Crisis Messenger (24/7) | text THEMIX to 85258
Samartians (24/7) | call 116 123 | email jo@samaritans.org
Papyrus (2pm-midnight) | call 0800 068 41 41 | text 07786 209 697 | email pat@payrus-uk.org
Supportline (hours vary) | call 01708 765 200
Childline | call 0800 11 11
Samartians (24/7) | call 116 123 | email jo@samaritans.org
Papyrus (2pm-midnight) | call 0800 068 41 41 | text 07786 209 697 | email pat@payrus-uk.org
Supportline (hours vary) | call 01708 765 200
Childline | call 0800 11 11
Sending lots of strength
Gemma
1
Re: self-harm urges
If either of you need anything you can come to me and I will give any advice possible
Lucy_21
1
Re: self-harm urges
I'm holding on by a thread here as well, sending much kindness and peace your way
Re: self-harm urges
I'm probably not the best help as you know I'm śtuggling with it right now too but maybe I can offer you comfort in some way knowing you're not the only one going through this and don't have to do so alone. Also you are not that word as you know what I mean and I'm deeply sorry you're thinking that right now. I'm here for you
Lucy_21
1