Suicidal thoughts often feel like an internal battle. One part of us longs to live, while another insists that giving up is the only way forward. For many, this struggle can feel shameful and isolating, as though the very existence of suicidal thoughts means something is deeply wrong. Internal Family Systems (IFS) offers a compassionate alternative. It reframes suicidal ideation...
When despair becomes overwhelming, it can feel as though the body itself is carrying a weight too heavy to bear. For many people living with suicidal thoughts, the pain is not only psychological but also deeply physical, manifesting as tightness in the chest, heaviness in the limbs, or a sense of collapse that words cannot capture. Traditional talk therapy can...
Suicidal thoughts do not emerge in isolation. They often take root in patterns of thinking and behaving that place unbearable pressure on individuals. Among the most significant of these patterns are perfectionism and people-pleasing. The role of perfectionism and people-pleasing in suicidal ideation is profound because both tendencies create impossible standards, leave little room for authentic self-expression, and contribute to...
When suicidal urges surface, they can feel overwhelming and all-consuming. Thoughts arrive suddenly and with great intensity, leaving little space between the impulse and the despair that fuels it. In these moments, the ability to pause can make a profound difference. While professional support is essential, mindfulness practices can offer simple, grounding tools that help create that pause, anchor you...
When someone is living with suicidal thoughts, the pain often runs deeper than daily stressors or surface-level struggles. At the heart of suicidality there is often a profound crisis of meaning. People may feel cut off from purpose, from belonging, or from a sense of connection to something larger than themselves. Transpersonal psychology offers a way to reframe despair not...
The stories families carry across generations often shape identity, relationships, and resilience. Yet, when trauma is left unacknowledged or unresolved, it can echo through time, influencing the mental health of future generations. The exploration of intergenerational trauma and its link to suicide in families has become a crucial area of research and clinical practice. Families who have endured war, displacement,...
Life is a series of transitions. While many changes bring growth and opportunity, others create stress, instability, and loss. Divorce, retirement, and moving are three major life events that can significantly increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. The relationship between suicide risk during major life transitions and mental health is complex, but understanding it is essential for prevention. These transitions...
Suicidal thoughts often emerge from deeply painful life experiences, traumatic events, or overwhelming internal narratives that leave individuals feeling trapped. When a person sees no alternative story about their life beyond despair, hopelessness can take hold. The role of narrative therapy in rewriting suicidal stories is to help individuals step outside of these limiting narratives and discover new ways of...
Each September, we pause to reflect, remember, and recommit during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This annual campaign shines a light on suicide, its impact on individuals, families, and communities, and reminds us that prevention is possible. This month is not only about recognizing the warning signs of suicide. It is also about fostering open dialogue, breaking down stigma, and...
You wake from a dream feeling unsettled. You remember only fragments ... a staircase that leads nowhere, an old friend whose face you haven’t seen in years, a glowing object just out of reach. The dream lingers like fog, leaving you with the distinct sense that it meant something, even if you can’t quite say what. In a place like...