The Time to move on is now

DescriptionHello, my name is Jo Rainbow. I have lifelong mental health difficulties. I've never let that hold me back. I've been a self-harmer for over 40 years. Now, I often go months without self-harming. In my first book, "Don't cut my lifeline", I wrote about living with self-harm. In this new book, I hope to show it's ok to have mental health difficulties. It's even better when we can live happily and productively, despite mental health issues.Self-injury has been my secret friend for about 40 years, at a great cost, both physically and emotionally.Today, after a lot of tears, therapy and using the Decider Skills, I'm living.Each new day, I give thanks. I discover something new, and learn a new skill. If you are self-harming or thinking of self-harm, try to limit the damage you're inflicting. Also try to reduce the occasions you self-harm.The following may help.- Remember to respect yourself. You are a unique human being. You are special and loved by me.- Use only new, clean harming tools.- First aid. Remember to clean, dress wounds. If in any doubt, seek medical advice.- Treat yourself kindly. If a friend had hurt themselves, no doubt you would help them. It may be impossible to stop self-harming at the moment. Keep trying to stop. One day this will be a choice, then an unhealthy choice. Finally a choice you do not wish to take.It is possible to change ourselves, but not always the situation. * For those who kindly bought my first book, thank you! One important thing to note: I spoke of "hearing voices". My new psychiatrist assures me, I do not "hear voices". The "voices" were intense, repeated strong thoughts.I apologise unreservedly for any distress I may have caused, unintentionally.