Suicide Is Preventable: ADAA

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is reminding us all that with proper treatment most potential suicides can be prevented.  For more information on suicide prevention from the ADAA click here.

People who suffer from depression, anxiety or other mental disorders are at significantly increased risk for taking their own life.  For example, fifteen percent of people who suffer clinical depression commit suicide.

Research has shown that the most common reasons people decide to take their life are feeling hopeless that they can ever escape their suffering and make their life better and/or believing that they are a burden to loved ones.

The reality is that there are effective treatments available and the majority of people can be helped. Research has shown that many people who do not improve with the first form of treatment they receive will get better when other empirically-supported treatments are tried.  In addition, loved ones are are almost always deeply grieved by the suicide of someone close to them.

Nonetheless, the major of people who suffer from depression still do not get treatment, even when their symptoms are severe.

INSTITUTE THERAPISTS PARTICIPATE IN SUICIDE PREVENTION RESEARCH

Cognitive behavioral interventions have been developed specifically to treat people who are questioning whether life is worth living.  The clinical staff of Capital Institute has extensive experience applying these interventions for people with histories of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.

Two members of our team have participated in recent research to improve assessment of suicide risk and develop more effective cognitive-behavioral treatments.  Dr. John Dennis has worked with many of the leaders in the field of suicide prevention.  He participated in two studies funded by the United States Army and has published journal articles on suicide prevention for veterans.  Dr. Kevin Crowley works with expert suicidologists at The Catholic University of America and the Veterans Administration. In addition, he provides training in therapeutic risk assessment and brief psychosocial suicide-focused interventions to other mental health practitioners.  Dr. Dennis and Dr. Crowley share their expertise with other Institute therapists who are working with patients for whom suicide risk is a concern.