Things to do to get past the urge to SI

This is a list of 12 things that might help you get past the urge to hurt. Bear in mind that some of these may seem too hard when you're really severely depressed, but if just one of them is something you can do, it'll help.

1. Do something for someone -- a child, a friend, a partner.
2. Do something for yourself -- a haircut, new clothes, a massage.
3. Do something for your home -- garden, plant a tree, put on some cool music and clean your closet or a drawer.
4. Have eight people to dinner. Use your good china and best recipes.
5. Take three upbeat friends to lunch. (If you're as broke as I am, just go to lunch with three upbeat friends, or even make it a picnic.)
6. Plan a vacation. You can even make it your dream vacation; for right now, the planning counts more than the execution.
7. Exercise -- swim, dance, jog, walk.
8. Do volunteer work somewhere. Helping others in need often helps you get past your own rough times (and it builds good feelings about yourself).
9. Follow the AA formula of HALT -- take action to avoid being Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
10. Talk to someone you trust. Join a self-harm list, and post. It's an invaluable resource.
11. Join a club or take a course.
12. Sing along to the radio -- even if you "know" you can't sing. Do it as loudly as possible when no one's around.

List adapted from Kathy Cronkite's book, On the Edge of Darkness: Conversations about conquering depression. Some of the suggestions as originally presented didn't seem very realistic.