The Dissociative Initiative

Immediate help can be found through the following services

In Australia try these 24hr Helplines:

• Suicide Call Back Service:  1300 659 467 and online counselling for people 15 years and older
• Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 (free from landlines and mobiles) and crisis support chat
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25 – please be aware they may not be able to support young parts) and email or webchat counselling
• Samaritans 135 247 for adults or 1800 198 313 for children and young adults
• 000 for an ambulance or police

South Australia only:

• ACIS 13 14 65 Assessment and Crisis Intervention Services for mental health emergencies (you may find it helpful to read How to call ACIS first)
• For a full list of crisis services in SA, see Emergency Contacts

In America they have the suicide prevention lifeline on 1800 273 8255.

More about common causes and responses to specific types of crisis:

• Dissociative Crisis
• Multiplicity Crisis

Sarah’s personal approaches to crisis

Staying safe in a crisis when you don’t have support

Using black humour to stop crises building momentum

Survival lessons about managing crisis from people who survive extreme environments

Not getting gung-ho about treatment

Self care & a myth of Crisis Mode – understanding the power and risks of going into crisis mode

Trauma Recovery information and links

For those of us who are supporting other people

• Trauma informed care
• Your problems are your fault
• Caring for someone who’s suicidal
• Reporting a suicide threat on facebook
• Supporting someone after trauma
• 5 Hours after an Assault
• How to call ACIS (and other mental health crisis helplines)
• Living with Rage

It can be helpful to remember that crisis is not always a bad thing.

One definition is that it is merely the interruption of a pattern. Sometimes patterns have been destructive or limiting, and through crisis we find more freedom and hope. Even in instances where crisis was terrible, there can be silver linings – I have reflected that in my own history:

Crisis has at times been the best thing that could have happened

It can also help to remember to remember that dissociation is not always pathological or the cause of the crisis but is sometimes a very helpful, even life saving, response to a crisis:

Dissociation is a super power