What would a therapist due if they suspect their client is suicidal?

[Anonymous]

Are they obligated to report them? Could they force them to go into costly in-patient treatment?

[Anonymous]

They have an ethical obligation to make the report; but they have no say in what happens after that report is made.

[Anonymous]

P.S. Also, there's a distinction between "feeling" suicidal, and "being suicidal with a plan to carry it out." They are obligated on the second, it's more subjective on the first.

If this is you, you matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:P.S. Also, there's a distinction between "feeling" suicidal, and "being suicidal with a plan to carry it out." They are obligated on the second, it's more subjective on the first.

If this is you, you matter.

The latter would result in involuntary commitment if doctors agreed that they were actually suicidal and had a plan and the means to carry it out. Cost of treatment is on the patient - or the patient’s insurance. There can be some financial aid for things not covered by insurance if income meets the threshold. Also Medicaid will pay if eligible.

[Anonymous]

Yes they are obligated to report it to someone if they are actively suicidal, the therapist should do a comprehensive screening. Either they can call the next of kin or an ambulance. The therapist doesn't force them into any treatment but the hospital might.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:P.S. Also, there's a distinction between "feeling" suicidal, and "being suicidal with a plan to carry it out." They are obligated on the second, it's more subjective on the first.

If this is you, you matter.

+1 Having suicidal thoughts is not going to get you committed. Having plan and intent to do so in the immediate future will.

You can test the waters with your therapist and ask how they respond to hearing a client report suicidal thoughts. A good therapist will be very clear about when they will need to report.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They have an ethical obligation to make the report; but they have no say in what happens after that report is made.

This, and IME, involuntary psych holds are not as common as we might think/hope.

If you're feeling suicidal, dial 988, or text "HOME" to 741741

https://www.crisistextline.org/

[Anonymous]

The first thing they'd do is ASK the patient more questions. I have wanted to die since I was about seven years old. I've been to like four or five therapists over the last 40 years. Never been hospitalized.

[Anonymous]

I had a horrible experience with this. My therapist called the police, who then handcuffed me and brought me to an office. I talked briefly to a therapist but never received any help. They took my phone and said “good luck calling a Uber”. The police officer laughed while I was using the bathroom (she had to come in with me), and I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD now. I honestly don’t know what to do at this point, so get help but be careful. I asked to get help voluntarily, but I was handcuffed and got no help. Just make sure your therapist listens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a horrible experience with this. My therapist called the police, who then handcuffed me and brought me to an office. I talked briefly to a therapist but never received any help. They took my phone and said “good luck calling a Uber”. The police officer laughed while I was using the bathroom (she had to come in with me), and I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD now. I honestly don’t know what to do at this point, so get help but be careful. I asked to get help voluntarily, but I was handcuffed and got no help. Just make sure your therapist listens

Holy shit, I think you should talk with a lawyer. Were you threatening to kill other people besides yourself? Did you have a gun? I can't imagine why you were handcuffed - did you refuse to go with the police voluntarily?

[Anonymous]

You have to be actively suicidal with intent and an action plan for anyone to legally be able to do anything without your consent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a horrible experience with this. My therapist called the police, who then handcuffed me and brought me to an office. I talked briefly to a therapist but never received any help. They took my phone and said “good luck calling a Uber”. The police officer laughed while I was using the bathroom (she had to come in with me), and I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD now. I honestly don’t know what to do at this point, so get help but be careful. I asked to get help voluntarily, but I was handcuffed and got no help. Just make sure your therapist listens

Holy shit, I think you should talk with a lawyer. Were you threatening to kill other people besides yourself? Did you have a gun? I can't imagine why you were handcuffed - did you refuse to go with the police voluntarily?

I was not, and I didn’t even have a “plan”. I just felt like I was at the end of my rope, I asked about voluntary programs (and my husband was right there with me), and next thing I knew the cops were at my door. I have contacted a lawyer and it’s a slow slog because the police are saying they were obligated to do it. I wanted to go voluntarily. I do have photos of bruises on my wrists and a bruise where the officer hit me (she claims I couldn’t stand), but I really regret that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to be actively suicidal with intent and an action plan for anyone to legally be able to do anything without your consent.

My understanding too is that the plan has to be specific.

So just sharing that you want to go to sleep and never wake up I don’t think meets the threshold.

Saying I’ve obtained some pills and I’m planning to take them tonight so I can die would meet the threshold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The first thing they'd do is ASK the patient more questions. I have wanted to die since I was about seven years old. I've been to like four or five therapists over the last 40 years. Never been hospitalized.

+1 no one answering seems to be a therapist as these answers are incredibly more extreme than the reality for most. Therapists talk with patients who have suicidal ideation all the time, the vast majority of the time it does not lead to a hospitalization and it is really rare for when it does for it to be involuntary. There is no “reporting” like the pps keep saying, it’s not like mandatory reporting with child protective services.

The first question is to assess for safety - it is not uncommon to have suicidal ideation during a depressive episode and in most cases does not indicate hospitalization is needed. The therapist would explore whether the person has a plan and whether they intend to harm themselves. If the patient has a plan and intent and the therapist based on usually extensive conversation feels the person is at IMMINENT risk they will encourage the patient that hospitalization may be the best option. Involuntary is only used in the rare situation where patient is an imminent risk to self or others and does not want to go voluntarily and even then patient can only go for 72 hrs before a judge decides next steps.

Please know most therapists it is completely safe to have conversations about what you are dealing with, they want to work WITH you and they understand how to assess risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a horrible experience with this. My therapist called the police, who then handcuffed me and brought me to an office. I talked briefly to a therapist but never received any help. They took my phone and said “good luck calling a Uber”. The police officer laughed while I was using the bathroom (she had to come in with me), and I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD now. I honestly don’t know what to do at this point, so get help but be careful. I asked to get help voluntarily, but I was handcuffed and got no help. Just make sure your therapist listens

Holy shit, I think you should talk with a lawyer. Were you threatening to kill other people besides yourself? Did you have a gun? I can't imagine why you were handcuffed - did you refuse to go with the police voluntarily?

I was not, and I didn’t even have a “plan”. I just felt like I was at the end of my rope, I asked about voluntary programs (and my husband was right there with me), and next thing I knew the cops were at my door. I have contacted a lawyer and it’s a slow slog because the police are saying they were obligated to do it. I wanted to go voluntarily. I do have photos of bruises on my wrists and a bruise where the officer hit me (she claims I couldn’t stand), but I really regret that day.

I have a hard time understanding how hitting someone would help them to stand ...