Sadness

 

Family and personal stresses can create feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. For some, sadness presents as irritability and anger. Things that were once enjoyable no longer are. Are you noticing that a member of your family is spending more time isolated from friends and family? Are your child’s grades dropping or is your spouse getting into work unusually late? Perhaps the symptoms are even more concerning. Is your loved one saying things like “I wish I were dead” or “I just want to go to sleep and never wake up”. Are you seeing cuts on your spouse or teenager’s arm and just not buying the stories anymore? There doesn’t have to be a good reason for the pain but there is good reason to get help.

 

 

Suicide, it’s a scary word, the S word. You may be wondering if its ok to discuss suicidal feelings in therapy. Perhaps you are afraid that big men in white coats will come take you away. Rest assured, it doesn’t work that way. Yes, we are on the campus of one of the oldest mental institution in the country but I’m not affiliated with Sheppard Pratt. I just rent one the cool little offices. Things have changed a lot since SP first got started but the Hollywood version is ingrained in our subconscious. Reality isn’t nearly as dramatic.

If you are struggling with suicidal feelings, therapy is the place to be. If you have come to the point in your pain where you feel like the only answer is to end your life, you don’t have to sit with these thoughts alone. I can be with you in that pain and help you look for other options. Don’t worry that you will burden me unduly with your pain. I have been helping people come out of this dark place for years and I haven’t run screaming yet.

“Don’t you have to call someone if I’m really going to kill myself?” Well, yes, I do. If you have a plan and the intent to carry out that plan I will call the police and have you transported to the nearest ER. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and do not have an active plan to follow through, then your secret is safe with me. 

 

We tend to shy away from the S word. If you are concerned that a family member or friend might be suicidal, ask. Trust me, they aren’t going to be thinking “hmm, good idea, I never thought of that”. It’s not easy to look at someone you love and hide the pain. At the very least that person walks away knowing that one person loves them enough to ask and offer support.

 

If you or someone you love is currently in crisis, please call the Grassroots Hotline locally at 410-531-6677 or out of state at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to speak to a crisis counselor at any time. If you aren't in an immediate crisis, but would like to talk, I hope to hear from you soon.

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