Suicide: Continuing with Imagery helps………

 

Woman performed empty chair and read letter to husband.

Considerations:  Comfort and Safety Plan  

Foster and be present to client.  Office is a safe place.   “I’m here for you.  I will listen to you.  I will stand beside you.”

Cognitive Disorder:  Family/Friend support.  When to call in.  Risk factors and include in safety plan.  If believe burden to family, lack of purpose -  may feel  unable to move forward. Feels worthless.  Are you thinking of suicide?  Cannot determine.  Keep close eye on elderly.  They really question, “What is my purpose?  What do I do now?” (when lose partners).  “When do I call for support?  When call 911?  

“You don’t have to have answers.  You’re not alone.  I will work with you.”  

Most suicide people do not write a suicide note. When they do write one, please understand that they are at the lowest point.  Don’t take in every word.  Don’t read into it.

Difference of losing a child vs adults.  Death in general is a wound that never truly heals.  Don’t get stuck there.  Maybe you are watching a movie and pain comes right to the surface and you go into a rabbit hole.  “I should have done this (or that?”

Shame  - when standing at the grave of a child, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming then but it is always there.   A problem for clinicians is that we think we have failed.  There is a limit to what we can do.  We only have control over ourselves.  The speaker continued that he lost five patients to Suicide:  Continuing with Imagery helps……… patients who died by suicide.  They will be with him for the rest of his life.  Concluded