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

[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.

Unfortunately, the police generally do handcuff people who are suicidal. I don’t know exactly why this is, but I wish it weren’t so. They might be afraid that you’ll try to run away when they’re walking you to the patrol car? I really would like to know more about the justification for the handcuffs.

If you are suicidal and want to avoid the police, please go directly to your nearest Emergency Room. Or better yet, show up at the Emergency Room affiliated with the hospital where you want to be treated. Suburban, Sibley, and INOVA are especially nice in this area. You still might get sent somewhere else if their psych wards are full, but your best chance is showing up at your hospital of choice.

- a behavioral health nurse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Unfortunately, the police generally do handcuff people who are suicidal. I don’t know exactly why this is, but I wish it weren’t so. They might be afraid that you’ll try to run away when they’re walking you to the patrol car? I really would like to know more about the justification for the handcuffs.

If you are suicidal and want to avoid the police, please go directly to your nearest Emergency Room. Or better yet, show up at the Emergency Room affiliated with the hospital where you want to be treated. Suburban, Sibley, and INOVA are especially nice in this area. You still might get sent somewhere else if their psych wards are full, but your best chance is showing up at your hospital of choice.

- a behavioral health nurse

This. If you are suicidal—like if ending your life seems like a good, viable option to you and you are planning it—go to an emergency room at a good hospital. Don’t involve the police. Your therapist CAN’T drive you there and our ethics and insurance require that we know that if you are actively suicidal we get you to the ER but other than like college campuses when you can walk a patient over, the only option unless there’s a very trusted family member you’ve given your therapist permission to communicate with, is the police and it’s not a good option.
Now passive or intrusive suicidal ideation—depression or OCD related is different and doesn’t need hospitalization. That’s when you are thinking of suicide but don’t have intent. You just can’t stop thinking about it because things are so hard. Talking to your therapist about that is normal and something they are used to talking about in a session.
But if you are planning suicide, please give yourself the chance for treatment. Go to the ER. Let your therapist know you are going so they can coordinate care, but go get the help you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Unfortunately, the police generally do handcuff people who are suicidal. I don’t know exactly why this is, but I wish it weren’t so. They might be afraid that you’ll try to run away when they’re walking you to the patrol car? I really would like to know more about the justification for the handcuffs.

If you are suicidal and want to avoid the police, please go directly to your nearest Emergency Room. Or better yet, show up at the Emergency Room affiliated with the hospital where you want to be treated. Suburban, Sibley, and INOVA are especially nice in this area. You still might get sent somewhere else if their psych wards are full, but your best chance is showing up at your hospital of choice.

- a behavioral health nurse

The reason I called was because I was trying to get into a private, inpatient program that the therapist had recommended. I would’ve gone to the ER but I thought we could continue the conversation about this other program. The therapist (who I am no longer seeing) did call me the next day to find out how everything went, and I just couldn’t. All I’m saying, I am urging anyone who feels this way to get help, but just be careful who you talk to.