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Therapist busts 5 common mental health crisis myths and shares how to spot warning signs
How confident would you feel talking to someone whos suffering a mental health crisis? What about someone whos experiencing suicidal thoughts? September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and weve gone in search of guidance for how to understand what it means to be in crisis.
Myths and misconceptions surrounding mental health inhibit efforts to prevent disaster from striking, says Tahara DeBarrows, a licensed therapist with expertise in trauma, anxiety, and depression. She was kind enough to run us through 5 myths that people may have about mental health crises, and correct them. She also provided some advice regarding how to recognize the warning signs of crises, and what to say when we notice them.�
5 common myths about mental health crises corrected by a therapist
Ignorance around mental health challenges can be detrimental to prevention efforts, says Tahara DeBarrows, whose work aims to provide insightful, empathetic, and evidence-based perspectives to support individuals on their journeys to better mental health.
When talking to people experiencing suicidal ideation, or suffering a particularly acute period of depression, its important not to be bogged down by misconceptions and myths, because they may lead us to say things that are unhelpful, or even hurtful.
Tahara identifies and addresses the following 5 false notions.
Myth: Someone experiencing suicidal thoughts doesnt want to be alive anymore.
Fact: Many people want to live even if theyre having thoughts of suicide. However, Tahara says, the degree of their suffering often leaves them feeling that theres no other choice.
Myth: People harm themselves because they want attention.
Fact: Frequently, someone who dies by suicide first mentioned it to someone else. This is why its important to take mentions of suicide very seriously. �
Myth: Talking openly about suicide can plant the idea in someones head and make them more likely to consider it.
Fact: Discussing suicide is more likely to reduce suicidal ideation because it gives people an opening to talk about their feelings and seek treatment.
The UKs Child Protection Online Monitoring System adds that by lowering the stigma and being proactive in noticing when students are struggling, schools are in a unique position to save lives.
Friends and family members are also well-placed to support people who are suffering. Talking openly about things removes feelings of isolation and alienation, and allows people to connect on a deeper level.
Myth: Dying by suicide is selfish, or an easy way out.
Fact: People die by suicide because they see it as the only way to end their suffering, and many dont have access to resources both internal and external that may help them, Tahara says.
Myth: Its impossible to tell if someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.
Fact: On this point, Tahara is unequivocal: There are often warning signs that precede a suicide attempt.
Recognizing the warning signs of a mental health crisis, and what to say when you spot them
Tahara says there are four types of indicators we can look for when trying to work out if a friend or loved one is on the slippery slope of a mental health crisis.
- Behavioral cues include acting out of character, or seeming withdrawn, agitated, or reckless. You might observe an increase in self-medication. This could be in the form of alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal narcotics. If someone withdraws from their family and friends and chooses to spend much of their time in isolation especially if this is out of character this could be a warning sign.
- Verbal indicators include talking about feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or entrapment.
- Physical signs include drastic changes in sleep patterns and appetite, both of which can manifest in visible ways, such as weight loss and having less energy with which to interact with others.
- Emotional signals include sharp mood swings or feelings of guilt and shame. Someone experiencing a mental health crisis might feel burdened by their emotions, Tahara says, so its important to remain attuned to people emotionally when thinking about whether or not they may be suffering more than they let on.
Tahara encourages us to be proactive when checking in on our friends. Ask questions about their emotional well-being in a compassionate, nonjudgemental way.
Tahara DeBarrows is a licensed therapist at Grow Therapy. She works with sufferers of anxiety, trauma, depression, and ADHD.
If you are affected by any issues raised in the article or would like someone to speak to, please call the Samaritans for free on 116 123. You can also email them at [email protected] or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch in the UK. In the US, please visit Samaritans USA for more information.
You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to get in touch with the Crisis Text Line. Americans can now call or text 988 to reach out and speak to a counselor.
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