Suicide prevention interventions and treatments

We have learned that suicidal ideation comes and goes for many people and that the most effective way for treatment to help people get through periods of increased suicide risk is for treatment providers to hone in on the person’s unique triggers and concerns and help them directly. If a person is experiencing a mental health condition, it is important to treat the mental health condition, but it is not necessarily enough for reducing suicide risk. Helping people to connect more closely to their reasons for living along with actively learning to resist urges to engage in suicidal behavior are essential components of helping people to manage suicidal ideation and engage in life more fully.

Attention to self-care is essential and clinical care may be a component of self-care for many. Strategies for self-care can help fortify a person’s health so that mental health and suicide risk can be optimally addressed.