There are many distraction techniques that can be used to put time inbetween your actions. Here I will list which ones i know:

Talk to someone, tell them how you feel. Helplines like Breathing space or the Samaratins

Let yourself cry if you feel the need to

Squeeze ice cubes in your hands

Wear a rubber band around your wrist and when you feel the need snap it

Scream or shout

Exercise

Go for a walk

Draw/write

Listen to relaxing music

Take a hot bath

Draw where you would normally cut with a red pen

Put red food colouring into your icecubes and run them over your body

Scrunch paper into a ball and throw it

Rip up paper

Splash cold water on your face

Tense your body then release it, this should help relax you

Many of these distractions may not work, but keep trying until you find one that suits you and your need at the time

*keep watch this will be updated as time goes on

999
Breathing Space - 0800 838 587 (free and confidential helpline)
Samaratins - 08457 90 90 90 (24hour helpline)
Lifelink - 0141 548 15 15 (North Glasgow Area)
NHS 24 - 08454 24 24 24 24 (24 hour health service)
Rape Helpline - 08088010302
Gamcare - 08456000133
Childline - 0800 1111 (24 hour helpline for children)
Penumbra - 0131 475 2380 (Edinburgh mental health organisation)
Quarriers - 01236 827 367 (offers practical support for children, adults and families)
Basement project - 01873 856 524 (provides support groups for people who have been abused and who suffer from self harm)
MIND - 08457 766 0163 (infoline)

USEFUL WEBSITES

www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bcsw (bristol crisis centre for women)
www.selfharm.org.uk (young people and self harm websites)
www.siari.co.uk (self injury and related issues)
www.zoo.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk (mental health in the UK)
www.mind.org.uk (MIND)
www.youngminds.org.uk (young minds)
www.thecalmzone.net (CALM)
www.sane.org.uk (SANE)
www.mentalhealth.org.uk (the mental health foundation)
www.lifelink.org.uk (free support and advice to people in crisis who self harm and at risk of suicide)
www.lifesigns.org.uk (lifesigns)
www.seemescotland.org (ending the stigma of mental ill health)
www.justlikeme.org.uk (helps young people understand stigma and how to tackle it)



*more to be added

I would like you to read these 5 statements below, it wont take long.

1 You need to hear that people do get through this -- even people who feel as badly as you are feeling now. Statistically, there is a very good chance that you are going to live. I hope that this information gives you some sense of hope.

2 Give yourself some distance. Say to yourself, "I will wait 24 hours before I do anything." Or a week. Remember that feelings and actions are two different things - just because you feel like killing yourself, doesn't mean that you have to actually do it right this minute. Put some distance between your suicidal feelings and suicidal action. Even if it's just 24 hours. You have already done it for 5 minutes, just by reading this page. You can do it for another 5 minutes by continuing to read this page. Keep going, and realize that while you still feel suicidal, you are not, at this moment, acting on it. That is very encouraging to me, and I hope it is to you.

3 People often turn to suicide because they are seeking relief from pain. Remember that relief is a feeling. And you have to be alive to feel it. You will not feel the relief you so desperately seek, if you are dead.

4 Some people will react badly to your suicidal feelings, either because they are frightened, or angry; they may actually increase your pain instead of helping you, despite their intentions, by saying or doing thoughtless things. You have to understand that their bad reactions are about their fears, not about you.

But there are people out there who can be with you in this horrible time, and will not judge you, or argue with you, or send you to a hospital, or try to talk you out of how badly you feel. They will simply care for you. Find one of them. Now. Use your 24 hours, or your week, and tell someone what's going on with you. It is okay to ask for help. Try looking in the helplines section for a number near you.

But don't give yourself the additional burden of trying to deal with this alone. Just talking about how you got to where you are, releases an awful lot of the pressure, and it might be just the additional coping resource you need to regain your balance.

5 Suicidal feelings are, in and of themselves, traumatic. After they subside, you need to continue caring for yourself. Therapy is a really good idea. So are the various self-help groups available both in your community and on the Internet