Suicide is a scary topic. But the truth is, many people have thoughts about taking their own life at one time or another. Talking about suicidal thoughts is important but it can be scary to talk about it with others. Thinking about death or suicide doesn’t necessarily mean you have a mental health disorder, but it does mean you need support.
What happens if you talk about suicide?
Some people may be afraid to tell their therapist about suicidal thoughts because they don’t know what the consequences might be. You may have heard that suicide risk is one of the rare situations in which a therapist may need to “break confidentiality” and tell someone what you talked about in your session. But a better way to think of this is “calling in extra layers of support.” A good therapist wants to protect your agency as much as they want to protect your safety. They don’t want to get you in trouble, but they do want to make sure you have other people in your life who will look out for you if things get really bad. And thoughts of suicide alone are not a reason to break confidentiality.
How do therapists assess for suicide risk?
Therapists assess suicide risk in a variety of ways, and there is a large range of situations between passive suicidal thoughts and extreme cases where a therapist would need to call in extra support. Wherever you are on that spectrum, it’s important to talk about your suicidal thoughts and feelings, because talking about them is the best way to move through them. If you’re worried about how your therapist may react or unsure about what you want to disclose, you can always ask your therapist how they assess suicide risk. You can ask your therapist to give examples of different consequences that might happen, and when and why they might be necessary.
How your therapist can help
Remember that your therapist is on your side. Your therapist’s goal is to help you work through suicidal thoughts before they become a crisis. Your therapist can also help you create a safety plan so you know what to do when you are in crisis.
Emergency Resources
There are many resources available to help you in an emergency. There is 988 which you can dial or text from anywhere in the US to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Another resources is Common Ground which can be reached at 1-800-231-1127 for 24/7 mental health crisis services.
You are in control of your mental health care
It can be hard and scary to talk about suicidal thoughts, but it’s important to talk about them. You deserve compassionate and non-judgemental support in working through these painful feelings. You also deserve a clear understanding of the consequences of discussing suicide so that you can feel in control of your mental health care. A good therapist will be happy to discuss these things with you. Feel free to ask your therapist for more information.
Where to find a therapist
If you don’t have a therapist, you can reach out to Embrace Change Therapy, or do a search through Psychology Today, Therapy Den, or Open Path Collective. You matter. You are not alone. There are people who want to support you no matter what you’re going through.