Whether it’s you or someone close to you, it’s never easy to know what to do when suicidal thinking rears its head. No one wants to have to live with constant agony of life, and the key thing to do is to find a way out before it gets to that point.
The problem is that suicide is the culmination of a combination of issues. It’s very rare for anyone to jump to suicidal thinking to begin with. Psychological, social, biological, and cultural factors all come into play when it comes to suicidal thinking, and it’s very much something that can occur during periods of stress and upset. Whether that stress is individual or from external sources, you deserve the very best support. One of the most important things that you can do is understand your resources, and we’ve got a breakdown of the most recommended options below.
Resources
988—Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
One of the hardest things for someone in crisis is to ask for help, but with the knowledge of a suicide and crisis lifeline available, there is instant support out there in the moment when those thoughts occur. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline used to be known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s a service that is based in the United States, and there is a network of over 200 crisis centers providing toll-free services. The hotline is designed to mimic 911, but 988 is free to call for anyone in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress who needs help.
Counseling
Most people have heard of counseling, and it’s a popular option for those who want someone impartial to talk to. They want to discuss their feelings and their worries, and a counselor is there to help. They are there to listen in a way that avoids judgment and offers safety. The counselors out there are trained specifically to talk you through your thinking and ensure that your mental health improves. The best part is that they can help you to have a better understanding of yourself and effectively work through and untangle all of the thinking that is causing stress.
Counseling allows you to gain some insight into what is going on for you, and you have the option of speaking to counselors in either an outpatient or an inpatient setting.
Medication
Medication is a popular treatment option for those with suicidal thinking, and it’s usually because suicidal thinking is tied to other mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, etc. The effect of treatment on suicide has been a growing concern to researchers, and while there is a marked decrease in suicide rates for those on medications controlling external conditions, antidepressants and antipsychotics are both considered to be viable options.
Some of the medications that are involved in treating suicidal thinking include the following:
Clozapine/Antipsychotics
It’s the first medication approved by the FDA for antisuicide indication, and it started with treatment for Schizophrenia. It was first approved in 2003 through a randomized trial, comparing the aftereffects of clozapine with olanzapine to see if there was a difference in suicidal patients. The results showed that those who were on the clozapine trial were at far lower risk.
Lithium
Lithium has long been known to be effective in treating disorders such as bipolar disorder in order to regulate moods and emotions. In the 90s, lithium was shown to have a proven effect on those with suicidal thoughts, reducing the rate of suicide by 80%. Manic depressive disorders have been treated successfully with the help of lithium for over 30 years now.
Antidepressants
Those who speak to their primary care physician will often be advised that antidepressants are the first port of call when depression and anxiety symptoms are prominent. There is evidence that antidepressants decrease the suicide risk, but it is unique to each patient as to how well it works. Often, a big factor is medication nonadherence, and so that has to be considered as a reason antidepressants are not working. Patients have to be reliable in taking medications for any of those meds to work, and that’s one of the reasons medications are recommended in conjunction with other mental health supports.
With adequate treatment of underlying conditions, suicidal thinking can be suppressed and supported rather than reliant on medicine. It’s the most effective use of medication, as long as the main issues are also treated effectively enough.
Inpatient Programs
When it comes to the best kind of support for those with suicidal thoughts, inpatient programs are the best option. The current program supplied at Alvarado Parkway Institute provides structured mental health care for adults over 18. Those who have significant risk factors and severe symptoms requiring more regulated support are cared for through close monitoring and evaluation. Every client in API’s Inpatient program receives a plan that has been individualized to their care, with an emphasis on stabilizing their thinking as quickly as possible.
As part of the plan, individuals will learn the signs of mental illness and understand what their next step should be for recommended treatment. There is also support available to reintegrate into the community, a crucial step in getting life back on track.
We’re Ready to Help
With the help of our inpatient care facility and program, individuals who are dealing with severe mental illness and addictive disorders can gain the support they need. With a team of licensed mental health professionals working around the clock, clients are supported until they feel stable enough to re-enter society and go back to their lives.
We are here and ready to help you with support to participate in individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, family therapy, medication management, and other evidence-based treatments to help achieve stability and avoid re-hospitalization. Act now! Call (619) 333-7050 and put your mental health first.
