September: Suicide Awareness Month
Suicide is a heavy word. Although progress has been made in reducing the stigma of talking about mental health and suicide, there continues to be a taboo that that comes with the topic.
Although we understand the depth of the word and the reasons why it may be challenging to discuss, it is proven that the more we open up the conversation around suicide the more lives we can save. Millions of people experience suicidal thoughts (SAMHSA, 2020). If you or someone you love experiences suicidal ideation, you are not alone.
Suicidal ideation falls on a spectrum. Passive suicidal ideation refers to when a person is having thoughts of death or wishing they could go to sleep and not wake up, without a plan or intent to kill themselves. The exact thoughts and feelings someone with passive suicidal ideation may encounter vary person by person. Despite the term, passive suicidal ideation does not mean that this is not important to address. In fact, this can be the stage of suicidal ideation that is best to intervene during, as it allows a person to engage in counseling or other therapeutic services before requiring crisis services (which can sometimes have secondary consequences).
Passive suicidal ideation is considered a top risk factor for attempting suicide. Because these thoughts may come and go, it’s important to open up the conversation so that someone who may be struggling feels comfortable reaching out when they need increased support. Someone experiencing passive suicidal ideation may also put themselves at increased risk, like driving recklessly or engaging in substance use.
If you are experiencing passive suicidal ideation, it is important to speak about. If you believe a loved one is experiencing suicidal ideation, it can be helpful to take away the shame by asking about it directly. Asking and talking about suicide does not increase the likelihood that their thoughts will intensify. It does, however, increase the chances that they will be comfortable coming to you if/when their thoughts increase. Some helpful questions may include:
Are you having thoughts of suicide?
Are you thinking about hurting yourself?
Do you wish that you were dead?
Have you been thinking about ways to hurt yourself?
Have you been making a plan to kill yourself?
Do you feel safe right now?
Creating a safety plan, also known as a crisis response plan, can be helpful in managing suicidal ideation. A safety plan is not the same as a contract for safety, which have been proven to be ineffective. Instead, a crisis response plan or safety plan is a plan that a person can reference quickly when experiencing suicidal ideation or other emotional stressors.
In your safety plan, include:
Warning Signs: signs that your suicidal ideation (or other related emotions) are worsening. This can help you and your support system be on the lookout for your specific triggers and warnings signs to be more proactive in managing suicidal ideation
Coping Skills: making a list of your go-to coping skills or healthy hobbies that you can do in times of crisis. Make your list as long as possible and include options for many different environments
Reasons for Living: think of the things that make you want to be alive. These can be friends, family, future goals, your health, favorite songs, upcoming plans- anything that makes you motivated to continue to work on your mental health. Having this reminder when suicidal ideation returns can help bring you back to a place of happiness or motivation to reach out for help.
Personal Support Systems: list the names and phone numbers of people you trust. Yes, include the phone numbers even if they are saved in your phone, in case you are ever in a situation where your phone is not handy or not working. It can be helpful to discuss your warning signs, coping skills and reasons for living with your support system so they know how best to support you when/if you reach out.
Professional Support Systems: list the names and numbers of helpful doctors, therapists and other crisis hotlines that you can reach out to in a time of need.
Active suicidal ideation refers to when someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts with a specific plan and/or with some intention to act on these thoughts. This can look like knowing a method they would wish to use to kill themselves, having access to that method, creating a plan to access their method, or having intentions of killing themselves. Active suicidal ideation can require emergency care, because the person may be a danger to themselves.
It can always be helpful to utilize the supports and resources of a crisis hotline or mental health professional who is trained in navigating the nuances of suicidal ideation and can adequately assess a person’s safety.
If you are currently experiencing suicidal ideation and feel you are in need of crisis services, please call or visit 988. If you are located in the sate of South Dakota and interested in individual counseling to manage your own suicidal ideation or are interested in counseling to process/manage being a support person to someone with suicidal ideation, complete THIS form. After you have submitted this form, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days with information on access the client portal and scheduling your first session.
SOURCES:
Scale of Suicidal Ideation and How It Measures Suicide Risks. (n.d.). GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/mental-health/scale-of-suicidal-ideation
Schuster, S. (2022, September 7). Passive Suicidal Ideation: What Is It, and Is It Normal? GoodRx; GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/mental-health/passive-suicide-ideation
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP21-07-01-003, NSDUH Series H-56). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/