When should one start?

[nohope]

I have endured chronic pain for many years and have a tremendous amount of stress in my life, to the point where dying seems a very welcome alternative. I honestly don't know if I can do "mindfulness" right now. If I can, will it help me now?

[Gareth]

I'm not saying that mindfulness can't help you, but if you are having suicidal thoughts, then you really ought to be speaking to your doctor, or samaritans.

Wishing you all the best.

[James123]

I'm sure it could help you in the longer run but right now you really need to speak to your GP, Samaritans, friend, relative etc etc first. Dial 111 if you feel it necessary.

Mindfulness, and please someone advise if I am incorrect here, isn't a cure as such. It's a practice and a way of being, not a plaster to cover up a cut.

I'm 4 weeks in and I still don't know exactly what it means.

Please though, don't give up mate. Speak to someone.

[piedwagtail91]

hi , hope you're still coping.
i'd agree with the others and say speak to someone, a doctor, or samaritans. possibly a drop in counselling centre.
mindfulness or mbct is really relapse prevention. you need to be in a reasonably good place to do the course.
if you get to session 5 and you're feeling as you describe then it can make a difficult situation a lot worse.
i do feel a bit of a hypocrite saying that because i went into mindfulness to use it as an excuse to kill myself when it didn't work, which i was sure would be the outcome.
but i was lucky to have two excellent teachers running the course who did keep me afloat when things went badly wrong.
i did lie my way onto the course, i'd had plenty of practice at pretending to be ok.
i know how big a step you've taken in just admitting how you feel.
you really need some one to one to help you get to the right place to 'do' mindfulness.
keep in touch with the forum and let us know when you're well enough to start.
mick