Early Intervention for Suicide Prevention
By Amy Thomas, PMHNP-BC Right Track Medical Group
Every day, approximately 129 Americans take their own life, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These individuals forever change their friends and family, leaving them wondering why or what they could have done.
The answer, unfortunately, is not an easy one. Suicide is a public health crisis in the United States, and many factors — including mental health and depression — contribute to why a person decides to take their own life.
For those suffering from suicidal thoughts, however, there is hope. Prevention is possible, especially when intervention happens early.
Are You Having Suicidal Thoughts?
If you are having suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. More than 10 million American adults seriously thought about suicide in 2017, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. But, while the word normal rarely has a place in any discussion about mental health, it is important to emphasize that suicidal thoughts are not normal. You cannot brush them off as, “Oh, that’s just how I think.”
If you find yourself having thoughts of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, intervention is necessary. It is important to note that suicidal thoughts do not always mean you want to actively harm yourself, but instead are wishing that something terrible would happen to you.
Warning Signs to Look Out For
It may be difficult for friends and family to know when their loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts. But other signs will indicate when someone is not doing well, and intervention may be necessary, including:
A change in sleep patterns: Is the individual sleeping all of the time or not sleeping at all?
A change in eating habits: Is the individual eating a lot more than usual, or have they stopped eating altogether?
A personality shift: Is the individual being more aggressive, or has he or she started to withdraw from those around them? This could also mean the individual has made a sudden shift to being unusually happy or talkative.
“Prevention is possible, especially when intervention happens early. ”
If a friend or family member is exhibiting one of these signs, reach out to them. Ask them how they are doing. If they indicate they are having suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideations, be there for them, support them and push them to get help.
No matter what, do not keep it a secret, this is a rare time when it’s necessary to break any confidentiality. You are not violating someone’s trust when your goal is to keep them safe.
Don’t Be Afraid to Get Help
If you are having suicidal thoughts, treatment is possible. Yet, although the stigma around mental health has gotten better, many people are still embarrassed to seek help. It is essential, however, to keep in mind that suicidal thoughts are a symptom like any other health symptom.
Individuals often stop themselves from getting help because they believe they will immediately be put in the hospital under constant watch. But that is not necessarily the case. While the goal is to keep patients as safe as possible, these symptoms can often be treated with medicine and therapy. With the right support, it can be treated outpatient.
That’s why it’s vital that if you start having these thoughts, you seek help. Like with any other health problem, the earlier we intervene, the easier the symptoms will be to treat.
Amy Thomas is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Right Track Medical Group.
To learn about Right Track Medical Group’s approach to mental healthcare and to view staff bios, visit https://www.righttrackmedical.com/about.
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