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Published Online: 1 June 2016

Coping With Suicidal Thoughts: A Survey of Personal Experience

Gregory E. Simon, M.D., M.P.H., Cynthia Specht, B.A., and Allen Doederlein, B.A.Authors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric Services
Volume 67, Number 9
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201500281
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Abstract

Objective:

The objective of the study was to describe use of services and self-care strategies by people experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Methods:

Constituents of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (N=611) completed an anonymous online survey regarding experience of suicidal ideation and use of a range of clinical services, community supports, and self-care strategies.

Results:

Mental health providers were the most frequently used and the most favorably rated source of support. Peer supports were less frequently used but also favorably rated. Emergency rooms and telephone crisis clinics were used less frequently and were rated less favorably. The most frequently used self-care strategies included engaging in distracting activities or social activities, using positive affirmations, exercising, and engaging in personal spiritual practices.

Conclusions:

Peer support may be an underutilized resource for coping with suicidal thoughts. Unfavorable ratings for emergency rooms and crisis clinics may indicate a need to develop more collaborative models of emergency care. Frequent use of spiritual practices suggests greater attention to spirituality may be a useful strategy in suicide prevention.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric Services
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Cover: Bowl, interior, Zuni People, circa 1889. Painted terracotta MNC12330. Cité de la Ceramique, Sevres, France. Photo: Martine Beck-Coppola.

Psychiatric Services
Volume 67 • Number 9 • September 01, 2016
Pages: 1026 - 1029
PubMed: 27247170

History

Received: 15 July 2015
Revision received: 19 October 2015
Revision received: 24 December 2015
Accepted: 1 February 2016
Published online: 1 June 2016
Published in print: September 01, 2016

Authors

Details

Gregory E. Simon, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Simon is with the Group Health Research Institute of the Group Health Cooperative, Seattle (e-mail: [email protected]). Ms. Specht and Mr. Doederlein are with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Chicago.
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Cynthia Specht, B.A.
Dr. Simon is with the Group Health Research Institute of the Group Health Cooperative, Seattle (e-mail: [email protected]). Ms. Specht and Mr. Doederlein are with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Chicago.
View all articles by this author
Allen Doederlein, B.A.
Dr. Simon is with the Group Health Research Institute of the Group Health Cooperative, Seattle (e-mail: [email protected]). Ms. Specht and Mr. Doederlein are with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Chicago.
View all articles by this author

Notes

Findings from this study were presented at the 17th annual conference of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders, Toronto, June 5, 2015.

Funding Information

National Institute of Mental Health10.13039/100000025: U19MH092201
This work was supported by Cooperative Agreement U19MH092201 from the National Institute of Mental Health.The authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

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