Suicidal Ideation: the Haves, and the Have Nots
Have you ever felt like things in life were just all wrong? Like you weren’t good enough? Productive enough? Like you weren’t loved or wanted? Maybe like the darkness was coming for you? Then you, my fellow human being, are likely one of the “haves” – one of those who walk among us who have thought of ending your life, of completing a suicide, or struggle with suicidal ideation (suicidal thoughts). Perhaps you, too, have thought about killing yourself about hitting the escape-hatch button and exiting this life. Maybe it was a one-time thought or maybe it’s an everyday thought. Either way, I want you to know you are not alone. Many, many, yes, MANY people feel the way you feel… And they have lived to tell the story.
AND it’s not about them right now, this is about YOU.
Your pain, your choice, your life. Contact us, we can help you!
What is Suicidal Ideation All About?
Well, more often than not, it is about ending the pain, the suffering, and exiting what feels like an unbearable situation that has no foreseeable solution in your eyes. Ask yourself, what if the pain stopped? What if, ‘this’ problem was over? What if, ‘this’ never happened? The truth is… completing a suicide is permanent and this suffering is only temporary (even though it feels endless).
Brace yourself, stupid factoid coming… The CDC says “Over 49,000 people died by suicide in 2023. That is one death every 11 minutes.” That is a lot of people suffering and a lot of lives lost. Unfortunately, suicide can be contagious. Wait, what?!? Not the act of completing a suicide itself, but the pain that a completed suicide leaves behind… that my friend is awful. Think about if your mother found your body. What if it was your father? How would their lives go on afterwards? What would that look like? If you are a parent yourself, what if your son, daughter, or child found your body? That is a pain that will last forever and will ripple out into their lives and communities for decades to come. Completed suicides change generations and families.
So why say all of this? Suicide sucks! Stay alive! There are people here to help you.
Why Seek Professional Counseling for Suicidal Ideation in Tacoma WA?
Well, it can be scary to share this part of yourself with a stranger. But ask yourself this, what do I have to lose? If your life is hanging in balance, then the answer is nothing. You have nothing to lose. Can’t make anything worse, right?
Try reaching out for help. Try counseling. Call a therapist. Call us, Lakewood Child and Family Counseling. Our therapists in Tacoma and through Spokane provide telehealth counseling for adults, as well as teens. Lakewood Child and Family Counseling, Tacoma Washington offers skilled professional counseling in Washington through secure and private online therapy sessions. These virtual sessions are designed to support adults and teens who are coping with various forms of negative thinking.
If you live in western Washington or eastern Washington, we can be here for you. If you are suffering, we’re here to help you. Truly. We have provided therapy services to Tacoma and Washington state residents for 17 years now, we get it. We know how to help. Just reach out. Make the phone call to 253-617-3559 x 1 or complete our online form. Then hang on. Hang onto yourself. Hold on for life. Talk to a friend, tell a family member, talk to a coworker or someone at school (if that applies). Just start talking.
If you cannot get through to us right away, as we aren’t a 24/7 crisis line, then please call 988 or text 988 to see if they can help immediately. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to your local Emergency Room, they can assist you ASAP.
My Loved One is Struggling, What Should I Do?
- Assess for danger, are they actively trying to kill themselves right now? If so, call 911.
- Do not leave them physically alone, until they are feeling better, a calm quiet presence is often supportive.
- Stop talking and start truly listening, with empathy and without judgement, if they decide to talk. Things like “I hear you,” or “That makes sense to me,” or “Wow that is hard”, are peaceful places to start.
- Offer them water or calming tea (interrupts the crisis, gives YOU something to do, and sends a signal to their nervous system).
- While providing comfort measures, if they are safe, complete our contract us form and get them into therapy ASAP, likely get a therapist here for yourself too. You will need support after this.
- Remember- this is about pain. Listen to their pain. And get help – for them and for yourself.
Experienced Therapists Available to Help YOU!
Don't let our name trick you, we provide Therapy in Tacoma & Spokane for adults too. We've been providing therapy and counseling services for almost 20 years now. We counsel mainly adults living in Washington State. We are also a therapist that accepts Regence Insurance in Spokane, Tacoma, Redmond, Yakima, Spokane, Olympia & Beyond.
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