Therapy for Suicidal Ideation – Everything You Need to Know

Suicidal ideation is one of the most serious mental and emotional health issues a person can face. Thinking about or planning to end one’s life is never something that should be ignored or taken lightly. If you’re experiencing suicidal ideation or you know someone who is, it’s important to talk to a professional as soon as possible. If you’re worried that you or a loved one may take their life, it may make the most sense to proceed to your nearest emergency room. Once the individual is no longer at direct risk for harm, a therapist can help them understand and better manage the thoughts and feelings that lead to suicidal ideation. In this blog, we’ll talk about some of the warning signs of and risk factors for suicidal ideation and how therapy helps. 

Warning Signs to Be Aware of

One of the most difficult things about suicidal ideation is that there is no one type of person who is suicidal or even consistent ways that people experiencing suicidal ideation act. A person considering suicide may exhibit signs of depression or anxiety, but they may also appear to be going about their typical day and behaving as they always do. In many cases, suicidal ideation needs to be self-reported to be diagnosed, so it’s important to make people feel safe and comfortable opening up if you think they may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or planning. It’s also important to increase awareness of support systems and available resources, so those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts have easy access. While there is no one way that people express suicidal ideation, some concerning behaviors to take note of include: 

• Dramatic changes in behavior or personality without explanation. 
• Self-isolating from friends and loved ones, especially if the person is typically very social.  
• Eating or sleeping more or less than usual, especially for several days, a week, or longer. 
• Obtaining means of committing suicide, including weapons and medications that don’t have an apparent purpose.
• Talking about or seeming to fixate on death and dying. 
• Difficulty concentrating, failing to uphold obligations, or forgetting important information.

If you notice any of these warning signs in yourself or another person, please seek support right away. 

Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation 

Anyone can find themselves experiencing thoughts of suicide, but some common risk factors for suicidal ideation include: 

• Prior struggles with mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or personality disorders. 
• Diagnosed substance use disorders. 
• Chronic pain or serious, prolonged physical health issues. 
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). 
• Trauma or neglect, especially in childhood. 
• Family history of mental and emotional health concerns, especially one or more family member who has committed suicide. 
• Awareness of or relationship with someone who has committed suicide recently. 
• Stress, especially financial concerns or upset within relationships.  
• Bullying or harassment. 

How Therapy Helps

If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, therapy can be beneficial, but before therapy can help, you need to achieve a certain level of emotional stability. For this reason, your therapist may recommend working with medical doctors or psychiatrists who can prescribe medications to help you feel better more quickly. A counselor may also recommend you work with an inpatient treatment facility, group therapy practice, or other partners as part of your continuum of care to ensure you are safe as you seek therapy. If you have been having thoughts of suicide but are not actively planning an attempt, the Lansing Counseling team is here to help. You can call us at (517) 333-1499, email [email protected], or fill out our online scheduling request form. If you are actively engaged in suicide planning, our team would still like to be part of your support network, but you may need care more urgently as well. Before you contact us, please call 988. This is the national suicide and crisis hotline. The caring team members can help you right away. Once you feel safe to do so, please reach out to our team as well.