[…] when I was coping with a lot: My parents were getting a divorce, I had been in a car accident and one of my classmates died by suicide. At sixteen, the gravity of these events created emotions I had never dealt with before. Even after a few months, these feelings continued to get […]
[…] crisis response system that takes police response out of the equation. We made a significant step toward this goal last year with the enactment of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act. This act will establish 988 as a nationwide number for suicide prevention and mental health crises that will be implemented by July 2022. […]
[…] 20. I don’t think I went 25, but I’m not sure. My first admission was in 1987 for anorexia, and my last was in 2014, following a suicide attempt. I’ve come to appreciate the quality of the treatment I received and the opportunities afforded me, rather than focusing on a number. I consistently reflect […]
Mental illness, suicide and suicide attempts are part of my family history — as are abuse, addiction and the trauma that underlies all of them. I have depression, anxiety, complex PTSD and OCD. I’ve had two episodes of psychosis and have been hospitalized three times. I’m also a family member of a loved one […]
[…] its stories at the expense of accuracy, dignity and compassion — particularly compassion for people living with mental illness. Far too often, we see the media romanticizing suicide and self-harm and turning destructive behaviors into beautifully sad vignettes, painting characters as desirably misunderstood and in need of rescue. When TV shows and movies portray […]
[…] religion on mental health. Some benefits include helping people to: Find greater meaning in life Promote personal growth Better tolerate stresses of uncertainties Experience reduced rates of suicide and suicidal ideation Develop faith-based coping strategies (e.g., prayer) Reduce anxiety Increase self-esteem Enhance social support Religious texts have also proven to provide helpful teachings espousing […]
[…] mental health condition that includes a pattern of unstable relationships, impulsivity and intense emotional reactions to stressors. The diagnosis is strongly associated with a high risk of suicide attempts and death by suicide. This risk is partly due to the challenges of effectively treating BPD. Following our years of experience in research and psychotherapy, […]
[…] treatment or take my medication as directed, which led to a much more serious bipolar episode in 2019 that almost cost me my life. After surviving a suicide attempt, I listened to my doctors, took my medication and, more importantly, accepted my diagnosis. Today, I take my medication as directed and continue to see […]
[…] wave of sadness, violence and trauma.” According to the research, 25% of girls experienced suicidal ideation, 14% experience sexual violence and 22% of queer teens have attempted suicide in the past year. Folks’ reactions to those numbers, I’ve observed, seem to be something along the lines of “I am saddened but not shocked.” Why, […]
[…] addiction, incarceration, homelessness, suicidality and death from other causes. Due to longer periods of time spent unwell, people with bipolar disorder are twice as likely to attempt suicide as those with major depression. And we're at increased risk for dying 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population, including by suicide or from […]
NAMI HelpLine is available M-F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call 800-950-6264,
text “helpline” to 62640, or chat online. In a crisis, call or text 988 (24/7).
