The overall suicide rate in the US is about 11% in 100,000. Although 80% of those who commit suicide are men, the majority of those who make nonfatal suicide attempts are women between 25 and 44 years of age [1].
Suicidal behavior takes place on a spectrum from fleeting suicidal thoughts to completed suicide. The suicidal crisis reflects ambivalence about staying alive. Suicidal ideation, or thoughts of suicide, can be caused by a complex interplay of factors.
Understanding the causes and available treatment options is key for prevention and support. Read on to learn more about these factors and treatment approaches.
Causes of Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation is more common than completed suicide. Most people who complete suicide have a psychiatric disorder at the time of death. And many have seen their physician within months prior to their death, but suicide was not brought up by the patient nor detected as a critical topic by the doctor [1].
Suicidal ideation precedes actual planning. This may result in an attempt leading to death. If nonfatal, the attempt may increase the likelihood of subsequent ideation, planning, and attempt [2].
It’s not the psychiatric disorder itself that increases the risk of completed suicide. It’s the combination of the psychiatric disorder and a stressor, such as the death of a loved one, separation, or recent unemployment. Most patients who voice or admit to suicidal ideation when questioned, do not go on to complete suicide. However, some of these will go on to commit suicide. [1].
It’s important to recognize the following factors that give rise to suicidal ideation:
Mental Health Conditions
There is a strong link between mental health disorders and suicidal ideation. The most common conditions include:
| Depression | Schizophrenia |
| Anxiety Disorders | Borderline Personality Disorder |
| Bipolar Disorder | Substance Use Disorder |
Environmental Factors
External stressors can significantly contribute to suicidal thoughts:
| Financial hardship | Prolonged stress (harassment, bullying, unemployment) |
| Legal stress | Exposure to another suicide |
| Family difficulties | Discrimination |
Personal and Historical Factors
These are key factors giving rise to suicidal ideation.
| Previous suicide attempt | Chronic physical health conditions or pain |
| Family history of suicide | Low self-esteem |
| Childhood abuse, neglect, or trauma | Bullying |
Symptoms Associated with Suicide
There is a variety of symptoms which someone may have that are associated with suicidal ideation and suicide:
| Hopelessness | Severe anxiety |
| Inability to feel pleasure | Impaired concentration |
| Insomnia | Psychomotor agitation |
| Panic attacks | Making a plan to commit suicide |
Treatment Approaches
Several evidence-based therapies have shown effectiveness in treating suicidal ideation.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps individuals with suicidal ideation understand and challenge negative, harmful, and unhelpful thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms. It can be effective in as few as 10 sessions for some people.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps people regulate their emotions, increase their tolerance for distress, and use mindfulness to accept things as they are. It helps patients accept reality without suffering and develop new coping techniques.
Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
CAMS is an intensive, suicide-focused treatment that addresses the underlying drivers of suicidal thoughts. It emphasizes outpatient care and uses tools like the Suicide Status Form to track progress.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for Suicidal Tendencies
IPT helps those with suicidal tendencies focus on current issues and problems. It is based in hope and provides support to motivate positive change. This can help reduce stress, deal with major life changes, and create a new healthy relationship with themselves, while reducing suicidal feelings.
Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP)
ASSIP is a brief, person-centered therapy involving 3-4 weekly sessions and follow-up contact for up to two years. It focuses on deconstructing the suicidal experience and developing safety strategies.
Brief Interventions for Managing Suicide Crises
Brief interventions have been shown to be effective at reducing risk and helping people live through high-risk periods. When a person is in a crisis, cognition (thinking) becomes less flexible and they don’t have access to their usual ways of coping. There are now several brief interventions that provide tools for managing suicidal crises. These include Safety Planning Intervention, Lethal Means Counseling, and Crisis Response Planning.
Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques
These techniques help ground individuals in the present moment, reducing emotional pain and providing coping mechanisms for intense feelings.
Additional Support Strategies
- Crisis response planning
- Safety planning
- Interpersonal therapy to address relationship issues
- Psychodynamic therapy to explore underlying conflicts
- Grounding techniques to connect with the physical environment
It’s important to note that treatment should be tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances. Professional help from mental health experts is crucial for those experiencing suicidal ideation.
Improving Mental Health in Utah
Treatment for suicidal ideation is available in Utah. Are you or a loved one looking for a compassionate space to heal from anxiety, trauma, PTSD, other mental health conditions, or addictions? Our licensed trauma-informed professional therapists and counselors at Corner Canyon Health Centers can provide compassionate help using a range of therapeutic and holistic techniques.
Reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon. We’re in a peaceful setting bordered by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.
Sources
[1] Gliatto, M. and A. Rai. 1999. Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Suicidal Ideation. Am Fam Physician. 1999;59(6):1500-1506.
[2] Vilhjalmsson R, Kristjansdottir G, Sveinbjarnardottir E. Factors associated with suicide ideation in adults. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 1998 Mar;33(3):97-103.
[3] American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Brief interventions for managing suicidal crises.
