By: Logan Cohen, Professional Therapist & Online Life Coach
I have found as a Professional Therapist and Online Life Coach that People who are experiencing thoughts or even plans of suicide probably don’t want to hear about whether the act of suicide is a sin or not. In fact, this only sends the message that we also believe our Loved One should be ashamed of their fantasies/plans/intent of "bad behavior” and they should therefore expect to be “scared of burning in Hell”.
This person has such a helpless belief system about their own position in the world at this moment that the religious shaming/fearing reminder only adds insult to injury.
In roughly 80% of cases where people take their own Lives, the deceased has Depression that is being insufficiently treated.
Do you really think that this Person is able to hear the Love you have for them through that message of encouraging them to ascribe to a narrative that tells them to feel WORSE?
For more information about this topic, feel free to read more in this article.
How to Prevent Suicide - 5 Elements
#1 Element of how to prevent suicide - Listen without judgment
By the time you are being approached by this Person, they have been so “in their head” about what they are going through regarding why they have to be a fundamentally bad Person by even having these thoughts. The more you can listen to them without judgment in the moment, the more you send the message that even though what they are sharing is raw, you will still stay accessible to them, which in turn means to them that you have “unconditional love/regard” for the Loved One. This increases the likelihood they will stay more open with you moving forward.
#2 Element of how to prevent suicide - Be Clear that you care about them
Again, they are probably stepping way outside of their comfort zone to be more open with you to begin with. They are also sharing because a part of them does not want to complete suicide fully – otherwise they would have already done it. The more you can relay that you are willing to actively prioritize attuning to them in the moment – the better.
#3 Element of how to prevent suicide - Know your role
I am a Professional Therapist and Online Life Coach who has an enormous amount of clinical experience around suicide. Unless you are a Professional and this in inside of your scope of practice, you need to remember that. While it is important to stop what you are doing an “tune in” to someone who is approaching you and sharing about their suicidal thoughts, it is also essential to remember that this is about as far as you can go with the conversation if this is not also your profession.
#4 Element of how to prevent suicide - Know local resources
After the person feels safe being honest with you about their suicidal thoughts and you haven’t run away from them like their hair is on fire, told them they should be ashamed of themselves, or asked them what they think about burning in hellfire for eternity, what do you do?
Well, call the Ghostbusters….I mean the non-fictitious Professionals…1.800.273.8255 is the number for the National Suicide Hotline. In addition to this, each region of the country offers its own suicide prevention hotline services, as well as immediate first response to an immediate health crisis. In the case of active suicidal behavior, you should call "911" so first respondents can physically come to the scene as they are professionally trained to do, and attempt to stabilize the situation.
Insofar as prevention, you can always encourage someone to check out resources for adequate self care such as the free blogs or paid options available through the Balanced Man Plan. If the individual is comfortable enough with speaking to a mental health practitioner in person, it would be recommended that they identify a Professional to do this work with as soon as possible if they are actively considering suicide. If you are in Charlotte, NC, feel free to check out New Leaf Counseling Group to see the private counseling group established by our Founder Logan Cohen.
#5 Element of how to prevent suicide - Be open with your own loved ones
As a Professional Therapist and Online Life Coach, I have other professionals and colleagues I can speak with after a particularly difficult encounter with someone who is talking about something as high stakes as their taking their own life. Even I usually need some space to decompress after something like this - and I’m a Professional Therapist! Make sure you are open with a trusted confidante about what happened. You deserve space to get a grasp of your own thoughts and feelings if you are such a trusted community member that People approach you of all people to disclose their thoughts of taking their own Life.
If you are facing a situation where you are having to prevent suicide in the workplace, then check out this blog to learn more about how to respond to this situation appropriately.
In addition to the mission of the Balanced Man Plan to do our part in suicide prevention, we are also going to literally put our money where our mouth is. 20% of all proceeds from The Balanced Man Plan will be donated directly to the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention – so you’re investment in your own Health and Well-Being through Balance will continue to “pay it forward” for People who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and behavior, as well as with therapeutic services for the survivors left behind after suicide.
If a colleague, or even YOU are just not feeling “right” anymore and know something needs to change, but are not yet ready to go see a healthcare professional in person, please continue keep reading our blogs. We have TONS of great information about how to establish Health & Happiness in your Life as well as Loved Ones naturally with Balance. And if you like our blogs, you will really like the Self Guided Coaching Plans created by Logan Cohen, a Professional Therapist and Online Life Coach. BALANCE is the New Best.
My name is Logan Cohen and I am a Professional Therapist & Life Coach with over 10 years in the field of Counseling Psychology. I am a Clinical Supervisor for the American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy, as well as the founder of New Leaf Counseling Group, LLC in Charlotte, NC. After spending tens of thousands of clinical hours with my own clients, starting a successful group practice, as well as a beautiful Family, I “picked my head up from the grindstone” to check in on childhood Friends & Loved Ones.
I painfully discovered that more than a few of my childhood Friends passed away at a young age from preventable health conditions and decided that as a Man, Husband, Father, and Friend, I could no longer stand by as People suffered in silence and self-destructed rather than ask for help. It doesn’t have to be like that and the holistic healing methods offered by the Balanced Man Plan is designed to help People “get unstuck” and break free from old patterns that are the barriers between Self & quality of Life.
The Balanced Man Plan is a therapeutic digital experience delivered through Self-Guided Coaching Plans created by a Male Therapist with the common barriers & strengths of Men in mind. The Balanced Man Plan has the goal of introducing a natural Balance back to Life so it is sustainable for the optimal Health & Well-Being of Self and Loved Ones - and ALL from the privacy and comfort of Home. If you have enjoyed what you see so far, check out our Self Guided Coaching Plans!
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