Hi, this is my 1st post here. I may be going to SAFE, but I’m not sure yet. I guess the hospital in Denton does not usually accept ppl with physical disabilities (me). I started the process with SAFE in June. I’ve struggle with self-harm for 15 years (I’m 30) and I know I can’t stop on my own.
I’d love to hear from SAFE alumni, especially re: the 1st few days out there and not hurting yourself.
Jen
I was in SAFE when it was in Illinois. While I was there there was a woman who was wheelchair bound, the facility was very accessible however. I hope they can find a way to accomodate you soon!!!
The first few days are about the same as the entire program- there are a lot of groups (I’ve been in several programs and SAFE was by far the most therapeutically intense). You will want to work on getting into the mileu and getting to know the other people in the program- for the first 5 days I didn’t talk much at all, just spent a lot of time listening. You’ll also have to come up with your alternatives list, write your life story, and meet with your treatment team in the first several days (when I was there we each had a psychiatrist, a therapist, and a primary counselor).
When you want to self-injure you’ll have to do a log, which is basically a form you fill out. As part of that you use three different alternatives (talking to someone, writing, taking a walk, etc). It can be really hard at first and can seem silly, but I do think it helps in the long term. You’ll also be surrounded by people who are either working on their own recovery or there to help you recover, when I was there it was a very supportive athmosphere.
Good luck!
The American with Disabilities Act says that they can’t deny you treatment b/c of physical disabilities. I know someone who was there in a wheelchair. What SAFE cannot do is work with people who are currently having medical issues that require more advanced nursing or medical doctor care.
I graduated from SAFE a few weeks ago and can say it was the BEST decision I made in my life! It has changed me. I SI’ed for over 20 years and right now I am SI free and plan to stay that way! Even though being home is hard, I feel I have a skill set to deal with that. I hope you can go!
Well the first few days are rough because your starting to learn and different way of handling things without SI. I graduated the program in August and it’s intense to say the least, but it has to be because when you stop thinking about SI ans you start on that path you have made a choice to go with program and learn to cope better. The main thing they try to assist you in learning is that you have choices in life and it’s really up to you to choose which way you want to go. As for the others we all supported one and another it’s like getting a whole new family and having people there who care and who can relate to you without any judgement. That’s the main thing “No Judgements” the therapist over there I thought they would judge me at first, but they don’t. It’s a win win situatioon to go to the program because you so much more about the whys and also you learn bout why you do it and that there are many different way of coping it may not be easy at first, but it does get easier.