Mythbuster: I’ve attempted suicide before…It will happen again
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become”. —C.G. Jung
If you are a past attempter, you know that suicidal people have mixed feelings about death. Even the most depressed person doesn’t really want death – they just want the pain to stop. If you’re worried about your past history of depression or suicide ideation/attempts, the most important thing you can do is to focus on preventative measures, including self-determination.
Self-determination has been identified as a strong protective factor against the impact of negative life events. It stifles hopelessness, one of the single most powerful clinical predictors of future completed suicide.
Remember, the impulse to end it all does not last forever, no matter how overpowering it may be. Be determined, choose your own destiny, and never give up hope— it’s there even when you don’t feel it…
A Special Note:
Up to 80% of past attempters that have completed future attempts were not treated for their psychiatric condition near the time of death. If you suffer from depression and past suicidal thoughts or attempts, it is critical that you are under the care of a mental health professional. Please contact us at 817-488-7771 to speak with one of the caring staff members at Privy Oasis. If you are currently thinking about committing suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (open 24 hours a day) at 1-800-273-TALK
If you or a loved one suffers from depression or suicidal thoughts, there is hope, and we all can make a difference. For more information and additional resources, please read this month’s article, HOPE︱For A Better Tomorrow or contact Privy Oasis, LLC
Always in Your Corner,
Taaka M. Cash
DNP, MPH, MSN, RN, FPMHNP-BC