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10 Things Not to Say to a Suicidal Person

March 3, 2015

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“I want to kill myself.” Those five words are a shock to hear, a dreadful pronouncement from a friend or family member you do not want to lose. You recoil at the thought. How could they want to die? As unwelcome as…

Transgender People and Suicide: The Tragedy, and the Hope

by Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW

January 2, 2015

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Transgender youth and adults have far higher rates of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts than the average person. Consider these research findings: The suicide rate among transgender adults in an international study was almost 800 per 100,000. In comparison, the suicide rate…

“Oh, I’m Begging You, No”: 18 Songs Against Suicide

by Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW

December 31, 2014

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Some songs portray suicide as a compelling option, even an outright solution. It is doubtful that listening to such songs can cause suicidal thoughts, but it might intensify them. Consider that old adage: What you focus on, expands. Focus on songs that…

The 3-Day Rule and Suicide

by Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW

December 7, 2014

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Many people who attempt suicide do so impulsively. Extremely impulsively. One study of people who attempted suicide found that 48% thought of suicide for fewer than 10 minutes before making the suicide attempt. The haste with which many people die by suicide…

For Therapists Who Want – or Need – to Improve Their Suicide Prevention Skills

by Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW

June 11, 2014

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If you are a psychotherapist, it is likely that your graduate studies included precious little training in suicide prevention. You can get that knowledge in other ways. To name a few: Practice Guidelines for Treating Suicidal Clients Several organizations have published guidelines…

“Woefully Inadequate”: Suicide Prevention Training in Graduate Schools

by Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW

June 6, 2014

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With the exception of psychiatrists, most mental health professionals have received very little, if any, training in graduate school on suicide-related topics: “Competence in the assessment of suicidality is an essential clinical skill that has consistently been overlooked and dismissed by the…