In Ep. 008 “Hospitalization for Suicide” we discuss important information when considering mental health treatment centers for someone who is at the bottom of “The Ramp” to suicide. Hospitalizing a loved one against their wishes is likely to result in you feeling guilty about the decision. Even when hospitalization is absolutely the right call, you may ask yourself questions like: Did I make the right decision? Will it be a terrible experience for them? What …
As described in Ep. 007 “How to Find a Therapist for Thoughts of Suicide,” working with a mental health professional who understands your culture is critical. Without understanding a client’s culture, counselors can unintentionally be insensitive towards their client’s values. (*Understanding someone’s culture doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be from that culture.) When we think of “culture”, images of people in traditional clothing and notions about racial groups may come to mind. Culture, though, …
First Responders & Suicide: The Culture Question Read More »
Suicidal people typically receive medications such as antidepressants as part of their treatment. This is because, in addition to thoughts of suicide, these individuals may also suffer from other symptoms: depression, sleeping problems, anxiety, disturbances in their thinking, and, possibly, difficulty in concentrating. Those who are suicidal are often are prescribed multiple medications (e.g. an antidepressant for suicide plus something for sleep or a mild tranquilizer and a mood stabilizer). The Good– The good thing about …
In Episode 4: Suicide and Global Crisis we discuss the link between these phenomena, give some strategies for coping, and provide targeted info for groups that are the most vulnerable to suicide. All the way back to the middle ages there are accounts of suicide increasing during a time of widespread crisis. Ovid, in his book, The Metamorphoses, described people taking their lives at the time of the Great Plague. We witnessed this again in …
As we’ve discussed in previous posts on “The Ramp”, the descent into the “Valley of Suicide” can move slowly for some and very quickly for others from passive suicidal thoughts, to starting to form a plan, and finally to implementing a suicide plan. Regardless of the time frame, if you or someone you care about is beginning to put in motion a plan to end your/their life, the time for action is NOW. Do not …
Stage 3 of “The Ramp”: Implementing a Suicide Plan Read More »
