Talking About Suicidal Thoughts

Question: When talking to a psychiatrist about suicidal thoughts under what conditions will they send you to treatment?

Answer:  This involves a very systematic process of evaluating your risk factors and your protective factors. It involves your history of self-harm, your history of thought processes, and your history of suicidal thoughts. It also involves talking with the people in your life and how they view your safety in the community.  It takes a skilled clinician to get you the right help. And, sometimes, this involves hospitalizing a person against their will. The relationship you have with your clinician is also a factor. Your clinician is there to help you. Being honest about your thoughts and plans is vital. If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself, please call 911 and tell someone right away so that you can get the appropriate help.