Updated 10/22/2021
Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) to speak with a trained counselor.
Types of Suicidal Ideation
There are two main types of suicide ideation: passive suicidal ideation and active suicidal ideation.
Passive and active suicidal ideation should both be taken extremely seriously. Both are indications of a serious mental health condition that should not be ignored. Even if someone is experiencing passive suicidal ideation and says something like “I just wish I was dead,” this should be taken just as seriously as active suicidal ideation. There’s no telling when circumstances or feelings may shift from passive thoughts to active plans. Therapists and othermental health professionals treat all suicidalideation as a serious issue.
What Are the Warning Signs of Suicidal Ideation?
Knowing how to spot suicidal ideation can help save your own life, or someone else’s. Here is a list of symptoms to watch for in someone experiencing suicidal ideation:
What Are the Causes of Suicidal Ideation?While suicidal ideation impacts individuals with amajor depressive disorderat higher rates, it can happen to anyone. There are countless things that can cause a person to struggle with suicidal thoughts: chronic pain,divorceor a breakup, depression, financial problems, loss of a job, loneliness, grief, or any other type of trauma or loss. These issues can cause those feelings of hopelessness that can trigger suicidal ideation.There are a number of risk factors associated with suicidal ideation, including:A past suicide attemptA mental health conditionFeeling isolated or lonelyBeing singleBeing part of the LGBTQIA+ communityServing in the militaryBeing a victim of racism or other kinds of prejudiceHaving chronic pain or a chronic illness such as cancer or diabetesHaving a family history of suicideStruggling with substance abuse issuesBeing a victim of bullying or harassmentLegal trouble or struggling with debtNot having access to mental health careHaving a traumatic brain injuryHaving access to firearms or lethal doses of medication or drugsBeing a survivor ofchildhood trauma or abuseLiving in a rural area
What Are the Causes of Suicidal Ideation?
While suicidal ideation impacts individuals with amajor depressive disorderat higher rates, it can happen to anyone. There are countless things that can cause a person to struggle with suicidal thoughts: chronic pain,divorceor a breakup, depression, financial problems, loss of a job, loneliness, grief, or any other type of trauma or loss. These issues can cause those feelings of hopelessness that can trigger suicidal ideation.
There are a number of risk factors associated with suicidal ideation, including:
What Treatment Options Are Available for Suicidal Ideation
If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts but are not in an active crisis, your doctor may suggest different suicidal ideation treatment methods, including therapy and medication.Talk therapycan be immensely helpful in determining why you might be experiencing suicidal thoughts and how you can develop healthy coping mechanisms.Family therapymay also be helpful, as it engages your support network into your treatment plan. Medications can also help address underlyingmental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Some lifestyle changes, such as making sure to get enough sleep and exercise, as well as maintaining a healthy diet and managing stress, may also be critical in mitigating suicidal ideation.
If you are at a high risk of suicide, you may enter an inpatient treatment facility, where you will be closely watched for your safety until the immediate crisis has passed. You will receive therapy and other treatment during your stay at this facility.
Know the signs. Take our free depression test
How to Avoid Suicidal Ideation Triggers
It’s also crucial to remember that our feelings aren’t reality. Like most feelings, suicidal feelings are most often temporary and pass like other feelings do. Therapy can help you develop strategies to move past destructive thoughts and feelings.
Similarly, suicidal ideation can cause you to cease the activities you find most fulfilling. If you can, try to get back into the habit of participating in those hobbies and habits. ake sure you also take time to relax and unplug. Prioritize your well-being above all else, especially in the short term.
What If a Loved One Is Experiencing Suicidal Ideation?
According to#Bethe1To, the suicide prevention campaign from theNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline, there are five things you can do to help withsuicide prevention.
Ask
First, if you think someone you care about may be thinking about suicide, ask them if they’re considering taking their own life. It’s not prying — asking this extremely sensitive question shows that you care about this person. It also illustrates that you’re willing to have an open and supportive conversation, without judgment. However, it’s important never to promise that you’ll keep their pain a secret – you may need to involve others, including but not limited to this person’s doctors or family members.
It’s also important to listen to the person’s response. While it’s good to focus on reasons why they may want to keep living, you should also be mindful not to project your own reasons or things you think they may want to live for. Saying things like, “But your mother will miss you so much,” or generic phrases like “You have so much to live for,” may only put more pressure on someone who’s struggling.
Be there for them
If a person confesses they are thinking about suicide, do everything you can to make sure this person is safe. Offer to be there for themin whatever ways you think you can be. If you’re not able to physically be present, call them on the phone or have a FaceTime call. Ask them if there’s anyone who can be physically with them that they’d like for you to reach out to. According to Klonsky & May’s“Three-Step Theory,”connectedness acts as a key protective factor in helping those struggling with suicidal ideation.
Keep them safe
Help them connect
Where to Get Help for Suicidal Ideation
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
TheNational Suicide PreventionLifeline (1-800-273-8255 or TALK) is a 24/7 hotline that provides on-the-spot guidance and counseling for those in crisis. The resources provided are free and confidential. To access online support, you can go toLifeline Chat.
Crisis Text Line
Veterans Crisis Line
TheVeterans Crisis Lineis specifically for military veterans, active service members, and those who are concerned about a vet or service member. Counselors from the VA can be reached via the hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To reach a counselor, you can call 800-273-8255 and press 1, or send a text to 838255.
The Trevor Project
One of the reasons suicide is so tragic is because it’s preventable. Remember, you are never alone, and there are always resources available to you. A mental health professional can help you get out of your major depression and help you heal your emotional pain.If you or anyone you know are in a crisis or may be in danger, please usethese resourcesto get immediate help.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
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