When someone has ongoing thoughts of suicide, they are experiencing suicidal ideation. These thoughts can vary in frequency and intensity, and their presence does not necessarily mean that a person will act on them. However, if someone is experiencing suicidal ideation and does not get the treatment they need, they can suffer many harmful emotional and physical consequences.
Suicidal ideation is a serious mental health concern that deserves urgent support and intervention. If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by texting or dialing 988.
At Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, located in Indio, California, we provide personalized care for adults age 18 and older who need acute suicidal ideation treatment. We offer treatment for suicidal ideation in a supportive environment that can promote sustained and holistic healing.
Common Causes of & Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation
There are a variety of factors that can lead to suicidal ideation. Often, people develop thoughts of suicide in response to stressful or life-altering situations. These situations can cause a person to feel trapped, powerless, or unable to cope with the challenges they’re facing and lead to intense emotional suffering. When someone experiences thoughts of suicide, it may also indicate that they have an underlying mental health disorder.
Other factors, such as past experiences, family history, environment, and physical health, may also increase the risk for suicidal ideation. Specific suicidal ideation risk factors can include:
- Social isolation
- Trauma
- Physical health conditions, including chronic pain
- Adverse childhood experiences
- Death of a loved one
- A history of attempting suicide
- Family history of suicide
- Discrimination
Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to violence, including child abuse or sexual assault, may increase a person’s risk for suicide. However, the presence of strong social support and access to care can reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors, according to CDC.
Signs & Symptoms of Suicidal Ideation
Understanding the common signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation can help you take steps to protect yourself and those you love from potential harm. If you’re displaying any signs or experiencing any symptoms of suicidal ideation, it’s important to seek support.
The signs of suicidal ideation can include:
- Talking about death or suicide
- Withdrawing from friends and loved ones
- Increased risk-taking
- Substance abuse
- Making a suicide plan
- Talking to people as though you won’t see them again
- Stating that you feel like a burden to others
- Changes to self-care routines, including sleeping and eating
- Trying to give away possessions
- Creating a will or taking other steps to organize your personal affairs
The specific symptoms of suicidal ideation may include:
- Feelings of anxiety
- Extreme changes in mood
- Feeling hopeless
- Feelings of intense anger or rage
- Deep emotional distress
- Intense shame or guilt
People who are experiencing suicidal ideation symptoms often feel overwhelmed and struggle to feel hopeful about the future. It’s also common for those who are struggling with this serious mental health concern to feel alone and isolated. But there is hope for a brighter future. At a trusted suicidal ideation treatment center like Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, you can access life-changing care and support.
Suicidal Ideation Statistics
The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health provides data on the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adults in the United States. The survey reported the following suicidal ideation statistics:
- In 2021, approximately 12.3 million adults age 18 and older, or 4.8%, suffered from serious thoughts of suicide in the past year. The majority of people in this group, about 8.8 million, did not make a suicide plan or attempt suicide.
- An estimated 3.5 million adults, or 1.4%, made a suicide plan in the past year, and 1.7 million adults, or 0.7%, had a suicide attempt.
- Around 1.3 million adults, or 0.5%, reported all three indicators of suicidal ideation that were investigated by the survey. This means that they had serious thoughts of suicide, made a suicide plan, and attempted suicide.
It’s important to note that people of all ages can suffer from suicidal thoughts and behaviors. According to CDC, in 2021, suicide was included in the top nine leading causes of death for individuals ages 10-64.
Effects of Suicidal Ideation
Without appropriate treatment and meaningful support, the effects of suicidal ideation can be devastating. Untreated suicidal ideation can have tragic consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Those who are struggling with untreated suicidal ideation may be at risk for:
- Worsening emotional distress
- Trouble functioning in day-to-day life
- Injuries caused by attempting suicide
- Other physical health problems
- Onset of other mental health concerns
- Death due to suicide
These are just some of the possible effects of suicidal ideation. The reality is that suicidal ideation can impact almost every area of a person’s life and make it difficult for them to function and thrive. Thoughts of suicide may not get better without professional intervention. So seeking treatment for suicidal ideation is vital.
Learn About Suicidal Ideation Treatment
When someone has thoughts of suicide or engages in suicidal behavior, it often means that they are experiencing profound pain. They may not want to end their life but may need intensive support and personalized treatment to help them find a healthy path forward.
At a qualified suicidal ideation treatment center, you can access professional help in a safe, secure setting. Suicidal ideation treatment can help you learn how to manage the symptoms you’ve been struggling with as well as protect you from future harm. Additionally, while taking part in treatment for suicidal ideation, you may receive valuable support from peers who are also working to heal from mental health concerns. This support can help you feel less alone as you navigate the healing process.
Often, one of the key benefits of receiving suicidal ideation treatment is getting a tailored treatment plan. At Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, we create a personalized treatment plan for each person who receives care at our inpatient hospital. Your treatment plan at our hospital will outline the therapies and services that can best help you succeed on your healing journey. During treatment, your care team may make changes and updates to your overall care plan in response to the progress you make.
There are a variety of levels of care that can help someone who is struggling with suicidal ideation. But if you are experiencing a crisis and may be a danger to yourself, inpatient care will often be the best first step. At our inpatient suicidal ideation treatment center in Indio, California, we offer assessments round-the-clock to help people learn whether our treatment services are right for them.
Therapies We Offer at Our Suicidal Ideation Treatment Center in Indio
At Coachella Valley Behavioral Health, located in Riverside County, California, we offer comprehensive suicidal ideation treatment for adults. When you seek help for suicidal ideation at our facility, your treatment plan may include:
- Basic medical care
- Medication management services
- Family therapy
- Group therapy exploring topics like trauma, coping skills, and relationship skills
- Evidence-based modalities, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Recreational groups, art and music therapies, and yoga
- Detox services if you have a co-occurring addiction
The combination of therapies and services that may work best for you will depend on your individual needs. But often, a mix of evidence-based care, group support, and help with building social support systems can be beneficial.
How To Find the Right Suicidal Ideation Treatment Center
When you’re experiencing suicidal ideation symptoms, finding a treatment place that can address your unique needs can be critical. The underlying causes of suicidal ideation can vary from person to person, and everyone has unique strengths, goals, and life experiences that may inform the treatment they receive.
The following questions may be helpful as you search for a suicidal ideation treatment center that can meet your needs:
- Does the treatment center provide the appropriate level of care for your current needs?
- Does the staff at the treatment center use evidence-based therapies?
- Do patients receive care from a multidisciplinary treatment team?
- Can family members or other loved ones be involved in the treatment process?
- Does the treatment center offer comprehensive discharge planning for patients?
- Is the admissions process smooth and streamlined to help people access crisis support quickly?
At our suicidal ideation treatment center, patients can rest assured that they’ll receive clinically excellent care from a skilled and kind staff. The mental health and medical professionals who provide services and support at our treatment center are ready to work with patients and their loved ones to build a foundation for each patient’s success.
The team at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health focuses on providing holistic services that can help each person reclaim a full and rewarding life. We support patients in thoroughly planning for discharge, including developing detailed aftercare plans and coordinating outpatient services. Our goal is to be a leading choice for care for those who are struggling with behavioral health concerns, including suicidal ideation.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Coachella Valley Behavioral Health.