How to Deal With Suicidal Thoughts
Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide. Suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation can stem from deeper mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. While experiencing suicidal thoughts can be overwhelming and distressing, finding hope and meaning in your life is possible. If you’re struggling with this issue, know that you’re not alone and that there are resources available to help. In this blog, our professionals at Counseling of Southwest Florida and our Fort Myers trauma therapy center share different strategies and coping mechanisms for how to deal with suicidal thoughts, as well as ways to seek support and find hope during difficult times.
Warning Signs of Suicidal Thought
It is imperative to understand the warning signs that may indicate that someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts. Some signs are a lot more obvious than others, so be observant with loved ones, especially around someone who you think is struggling with this issue. Some other warning signs include:
- talking about wanting to die or end their life
- withdrawing from social activities
- increased use of drugs or alcohol
- Sudden mood swings and acting recklessly
Additionally, while depression is often associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, some individuals suffer from high-functioning depression, which can make identifying the signs of suicidality more difficult. If you are not sure about a situation, it is better to check on loved ones too much than to not do it at all. Learning how to deal with suicidal thoughts isn’t easy, so getting help from the right people can make all the difference.
Coping Strategies for Depression
Depression can make everyday tasks and activities feel overwhelming and challenging to complete. Coping with depression can be difficult, but some strategies can help you manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Here are some different coping strategies for depression that you can incorporate into your daily life:
Seeking Help
Seeking help is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. It is the definition of resilience. A mental health professional knows all the correct ways to get you back to feeling better.
Practicing Mindfulness
Meditation and deep breathing exercises can help calm the mind and reduce stress. Practicing mindfulness can help you feel centered and neutralize your mind. Journaling is a different and more physical type of mindfulness and journal prompts for mental health are great resources to use.
Counseling for Suicide
Counseling has endless benefits, and while it may seem scary at first, it is always worth it in the long run. Counseling specifically for suicide or suicidal thoughts is a great match for those struggling with these issues. Therefore, our therapists encourage you to take advantage of the available resources.
Utilizing Support Systems
Having a strong support system can be incredibly beneficial when coping with depression. Reach out to friends and family members who you can talk to when you’re feeling down. Joining a support group or online community can also help find people who understand what you’re going through.
Find Counseling for Suicidal Thoughts With Counseling SWFL
At Counseling of Southwest Florida, mental health matters. We hope that we were able to answer your questions about how to deal with suicidal thoughts in this article. We are an experienced Florida addiction therapy and mental health service that is here to make sure that our customers receive the top-notch care that they deserve.
Our wide spectrum of services was designed to help people with their emotional or interpersonal issues. Some of our most popular services include therapy for anger management, grief and loss therapy training, group therapy for bipolar disorder, and marriage counseling in Florida, among other things. Speak with someone from our team today to learn more.
Casey is the founder and CEO of Portner Counseling Group (PCG), a counseling center in the Fort Lauderdale area, which specializes with issues related to drug and alcohol use. Casey has completed focused course work on the physiological aspects of drug addiction and human psychology, as well as received extensive training on the treatment of co-occurring disorders.