Suicidal ideation is a common medical term for thoughts about suicide. Thoughts may be fleeting in nature, or they may persist and eventually resolve into a plan.
Many people who experience suicidal thoughts do not die by suicide, although they may exhibit suicidal behavior or make suicide attempts. Equally, someone may have suicidal thoughts for a short period of time, and attempt to take their own life in that time. All suicidal ideation should be taken seriously, so do not hesitate if you think someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide. You can contact a crisis line like the Samaritans 24/7 to ask for help.
People who find themselves experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors may find that they do so as a result of low mood, a bereavement or loss, addiction or any other mental health challenge or difficult life experience. Do not struggle alone, tell someone you are not okay and ask for help sooner rather than later.
How to recognise suicide warning signs and what you can do to help
If you’re worried that a friend or loved one is suffering or thinking of suicide – here are some of the key warning signs to watch out for:
What to listen for:
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- Talking or writing about hurting themselves, dying or saying that they want to die
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- Talking about ways to die or having a suicide plan
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- Saying that they are ‘trapped’ or have no options in their life
- Saying they have no purpose in their lives, that they feel hopeless
What to look for:
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- Engaging in self-harm or reckless, risk taking behaviour
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- Giving items away or saying goodbye to people
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- Becoming more inward looking and withdrawing from family and friends
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- Changes in their sleep patterns – too much or too little sleep
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- Extreme emotions or dramatic changes in mood
- Increasing their use of drugs or alcohol
If you recognise one or more of these warning signs in a friend or family member’s behaviour, do not wait for someone else to do something. Speak to them, and speak to someone else – your GP, and/or a crisis line like the Samaritans, or contact us for professional support.
We can also help. We have several very experienced counsellors who have worked with both Pieta House and with the Samaritans and can support adults struggling with thoughts of suicide, engaged in self-harming, anyone supporting a friend or family member who is feeling suicidal, and anyone who has lost a friend or family member to suicide.
John Sheridan MIAHIP, MSc Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy 
Available Online? Yes
In person? Yes.
I am a fully qualified Psychotherapist and I am pre-accredited with the IAHIP – Irish Association of Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy. I will help you to learn better self-awareness, empower you to identify harmful stressors in your life, and develop self-care and self-safety practices. Together we will bring a sense of balance and harmony to your day to day functioning, and ensure you are aware when you are being triggered into negative thoughts, feelings or behaviours, so you can choose to respond healthily, instead of reacting unhelpfully.
Some of the issues that I empower clients to cope with and manage include:
Self-harm/injury, Stress or Anxiety, Bereavement and; Loss, Relationship issues, Lack of Motivation, Abuse, Panic Attacks, Bullying, Trauma.
Having worked for many years with Samaritans and Living Life Counselling, I have deep experience of clients who experience suicidal ideation, and who self-harm/injure.
Please feel free to contact John directly on Tel: 086 8162473.