Suicidal Ideation

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and accounts for around 30,000 deaths each year. Over 90% of those who commit suicide have depression or another mental or substance abuse condition. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 4.3% of adults who were 18 years and older had thoughts about committing suicide. And since 1999, more than half of the states in the U.S. reported a 30% increase in suicide cases.

Someone who has suicidal thoughts is considered a major risk factor. If you believe you have any symptoms of suicide, you don’t have to struggle alone. We are here to support you. Valley Behavioral Health has suicidal ideation treatment programs in Salt Lake that are available for individuals of all ages. If you’re having suicidal thoughts or don’t know where to start to get help, call us today so we can help you find the right suicidal prevention treatment.

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What is Suicidal Ideation?

In the bluntest sense of the term, suicidal ideation is the thought/want of taking your own life. In this term, there are two types of suicidal ideations: passive and active. Passive suicidal ideation expresses itself when the individual has thoughts of wanting to die or wishing for it but has no actual plans of committing suicide. Active suicidal ideation takes passive thoughts and puts them into action by having the intent and plan to commit suicide.

Symptoms Of Suicidal Ideation

There are a few simple signs that you or a loved one may be suffering from suicidal ideation. These include:

Anxiety
Looking for ways to kill yourself (i.e. medication, drugs, weapons)
Acting as if you’re saying goodbye to people
Engaging in high-risk behavior (i.e. drugs, unprotected sex, careless activities)
Increased mood swings/anger
Frequently talking about death or suicide
Giving away property or possessions
Feeling that you’re alone, hopeless, or trapped
Isolation from your friends or loved ones

Remember whether you or a loved one is going through active or passive suicidal ideation, no expression is no less serious than the other. If you’re reading this for a loved one, you may want to ask if they’re having any suicidal thoughts. This expresses that you are concerned and care about them. At Valley Behavioral Health, we treat everyone. If you or a loved one are expressing any of these symptoms, call us today so we can provide you the proper suicidal ideation treatment and get you back on the road to longevity.

What Factors Contribute To Suicidal Ideation?

There are a number of reasons a person may be having suicidal thoughts. Factors such as mental and physical health conditions, alcoholism, and the misuse of drugs or medications could all trigger thoughts of suicide. Other external factors may contribute as well. Circumstances such as relationship problems, trauma, financial difficulties, work-life, and loss of a loved one are all verifiable external outcomes in contributing to this condition. A variety of risk factors exist as well.

There are a variety of risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide, including:

Feeling lonely and/or isolated
Past attempts of suicide
Struggling with identity
Military veteran
Family history of suicide
Living in a rural area
Having experienced childhood abuse
Having attempted suicide in the past
Having a mental health disorder