By: Dr. Erin Amato | Sep 23, 2016
In 2015 over 9.3 million American adults had “reported having suicidal thoughts in the past year.”1 This accounts for nearly 4% of adult Americans. In addition, over 40,000 Americans took their lives in 2015 alone.
That accounts for one suicide every 13 minutes. This makes suicide one of the top ten causes of death for all Americans. Fortunately, due to the unique nature of suicide, it is by far the most preventable cause of death.
This is an issue that pertains to each and every one of us, regardless of race, religion, color, or gender. Whether you are actively suicidal, have suicidal thoughts or ideations, or are a friend, family member, or concerned citizen looking to learn how to help someone struggling with suicidal thoughts or intentions, it is very important to understand the nature of suicide and how we each can prevent one from occurring.4 We would encourage you to first read the section below and determine the group that best applies to you. Are you?
1.) An Actively Suicidal Individual
2.) An Individual Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts or Ideations
3.) A Concerned Friend, Family, or Community Member
An Actively Suicidal Individual
There is a very big difference between someone who has suicidal thoughts and someone who is actively suicidal.4 Being actively suicidal means that there is intent and that there is a plan. If you have plans for suicide, please know that many have been in your place, and are glad they chose to get help. They realize that hope is out there and that a future of wellbeing and purpose exists for each of us. Please move to a safe place by calling 1-800-273-8255.
If you are seriously considering suicide, please call this number immediately or visit your nearest emergency room:
1-800-273-8255
This is the number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also reach the Montana Crisis TEXT Line by texting MT to 741741. Each have trained individuals on staff 24/7 to help you through a crisis.
An Individual Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts or Ideations
If you are not actively suicidal but find yourself hopeless and thinking that it may be easier if you weren’t alive, it’s time to get help. Even if you don’t have a plan or a serious intent, suicidal thoughts are very serious and should be dealt with before they turn deadly. The good news is that there are many proven and effective methods of dealing with suicidal thoughts and the underlying mental illnesses that causes them.
- DBT: According to the Linehan Institute, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is “the gold standard treatment for… chronically suicidal individuals.”7 DBT focuses on four core skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation.
- Medication Therapies: Medications like SSRI’s (such as Prozac™and Zoloft™) and other antidepressants are often prescribed to treat depression and anxiety. In combination with therapies like DBT, these treatments can be highly effective. Call our office if you are not getting full relief from your current medications or are finding the side-effects challenging.
- Advances in Depression Treatments:
TMS and Ketamine
Ketamine and TMS are two depression treatments that have helped many who have not found relief with typical antidepressant medications. We are the only center in our region that offers TMS and Ketamine. To find out more visit us at www.mtpsychiatry.com.
Friends, Family, and Community Members
We each have a responsibility to identify and help someone who has suicidal thoughts or a real plan. If you know of someone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts or actions, your actions are required. There are many warning signs of suicidal intentions, including expressing a desire to die, having feelings of hopelessness, and “setting one’s affairs in order.”9 If you aren’t sure if an individual is suicidal, ask questions. It is very important not to ask leading questions like “You aren’t going to hurt yourself, are you?” Pose an open, non-judgmental question such as, “should I be concerned that you will hurt yourself?” If you are still unsure if the person is safe, it’s always better to be safe. Call for help and stay with the person until you know they are safe. This may be in their presence or on the phone.
As a psychiatrist, we know the best suicide prevention method is to treat the person’s illness before they become suicidal. If you know someone that is feeling depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, extend a helping hand and have them see a mental health professional immediately. With the proper care, everyone can go on to lead full and productive lives. The first step starts with you. Know what mental illness looks like and do what you can to help those affected by it. No one can solve the problem of mental illness on their own. However, if we become aware of the problem and address it, we can start to solve the problem. Suicide is not a fact of life. It is 100% preventable. If we choose to commit to understanding and require ourselves to be involved, we can stop these terrible tragedies from occurring.
Bibliography:
- The Center For Disease Control. Suicide Datasheet. CDC.gov. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicide-datasheet-a.PDF. Accessed August 18, 2016.
- SAVE. Suicide Facts. save.org. http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=705D5DF4-055B-F1EC-3F66462866FCB4E6. Accessed August 18, 2016.
- Mental Health America. Suicide. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/suicide Accessed August 17, 2016.
- On the Line. Estimating the Risk of Suicide. suicideline.org. https://www.suicideline.org.au/health-professionals/estimating-the-risk-of-suicide/. Accessed August 18, 2016.
- SPRC. Suicide Risk Assesment. sprc.org. http://www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/PrimerModule4.pdf. Accessed August 18, 2016.
- BBC. Cognitive behavioural therapy “can reduce depression.” BBC Health. December 7, 2012. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-20625639. Accessed August 18, 2016.
- The Linehan Institute. Behavioral tech. behavioraltech.org. http://behavioraltech.org/resources/whatisdbt.cfm. Accessed August 18, 2016.
- Insel T. Director’s Blog: Antidepressants: A complicated picture. nimh.gov. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2011/antidepressants-a-complicated-picture.shtml. Accessed August 18, 2016.
- SAVE. Symptoms and Danger Signs. Retrieved August 19, 2016, from http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage
- http://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/02/magnets.aspx
TMS
by Deb (age 64)
Category: generalThe hoops I jumped through in order to be evaluated were straightforward and efficient. I met with PA Kaitlin for about an hour to discuss my history and previous medications. Then Dr. Amato joined us to further discuss my history, the TMS treatment, and answer any questions. Myrna gathered all of the information and submitted it to my health insurance company to request coverage for TMS. Fortunately, insurance approved the treatment and I was able to begin the next week. I’m sure most people have anxiety about starting a treatment like TMS. No matter how many times it’s described to you, there are many unknowns. How will I feel during treatment? Is it painful? What if this doesn’t work? What if it works for a while but then stops? In all honesty, I was very uncomfortable during the first couple of weeks of treatment. The alternating two seconds of tapping sensation caused some pain during treatment, and at the end of the first week I thought about quitting. But I had sworn to myself that TMS was a last resort and I HAD TO complete the treatment and give it a chance to work. My technician, Heather, told me that some people don’t feel the tapping at all, they only hear it. Guess I wasn’t one of those people! But as the days went by, it became easier to tolerate the treatments. During this time I also saw Lauren weekly for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). This is highly recommended for people undergoing TMS treatment, and it was a positive complement to my total of 100 minutes each week “under the helmet”. The weekend between weeks three and four, I started to notice subtle improvements in my mood, increased belief in my self-worth, and enthusiasm for simple things like going for walks, meeting friends for lunch, and taking on volunteer work in the community. I hesitated at first to believe that TMS was helping me. I was afraid that I was convincing myself it was working because I so desperately wanted it to! But now that I am past the treatment I can say with cert
TMS
by Barbie (age 68)
Category: generalI feel so blessed to participate in the TMS protocol at MT Psychiatry. After struggling so many years with depression and not getting significant results from medication, particularly of late, I noticed positive results in the first two weeks of treatment. TMS can literally give you back the beauty & joy in living as well as the courage to make positive life changes and improvements in your daily living situation. I heartily encourage anyone to put yourself into the hands of the amazing TMS team who so gently and graciously make this journey with you out of the black hole that is depression. It is my honor and privilege to give the TMS treatment the highest recommendation.
TMS
by Shayne (age 66)
Category: generalI am grateful for the support and caring I have received from Dr. Amato (and Heidi, Heather and Myrna) in my quest for mental health and a fuller more productive life. While the TMS results have been subtle, I feel more positive about my future and I would recommend this team absolutely. Thank you!
TMS
by Carrie (age 65)
Category: generalNot realizing how fuzzy my head was, I thought I was only going through severe anxiety and depression. Through the insight of Pat, I was able to go through TMS treatments which brought down the anxiety and depression immensely and has cleared up the fuzzy, far off substantially. All the personnel treated me with kindness and I’m sure their attitudes helped in my recovery.
TMS
by Bridget (age 47)
Category: generalThe first outcome of TMS I noted happened early in my treatment, at about the beginning of week two. I felt as though my “brain fog” had been chipped away. I wish I could report that I feel my mental health issues are in “remission”, but I can’t do so yet. My hope is that I will see improvement in the weeks to come, now that my TMS cycle has ended. I can say that my brain feels – in some way – different; I can’t explain exactly how. I continue to struggle at this point in time but sill have hope for more improvement.
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