Suicidal Behavior Treatment Center & Hospital in Utah

Learn more about suicidal ideation treatment at our hospital in Salt Lake City

Suicidal ideation is a term used to describe thoughts about, or a preoccupation with, suicide. The spectrum of suicidal ideation ranges from transitory thoughts to a detailed plan. If you’re feeling suicidal, you’re not alone – many of us have had suicidal thoughts at some point during our lives. If you’re considering dying by suicide, this is a medical emergency – call 911 immediately. Feeling suicidal isn’t a character defect and it doesn’t make you weak – it simply means that you’re overwhelmed by stress and emotion in your life and you’re looking for a way to cope. You may feel the future is a big black question mark of uncertainty. However, with time, support, and love, you can overcome the problems that are making you feel suicidal and learn to live life to its fullest.

Highland Ridge Hospital in Salt Lake City has helped countless teens, adults, and older adults who have struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts. Our compassionate team of mental health professionals understands the pain you’re in and the bravery it takes to make the first step into treatment. You’re not alone. Highland Ridge Hospital is here to help.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment for suicidal ideation

If your loved one has attempted suicide or has told you that he or she is feeling suicidal, you’re probably full of a multitude of emotions – anger, shock, fear, sadness, and guilt. It can be impossible to know what to say or how to say it; no one wants to make the situation worse. However, if you don’t speak up, you may never have the chance. Here are some ways of helping a loved one who has suicidal ideation.

Say something: If you’re worried that your loved one is thinking about suicide, say something like, “I’ve been concerned about you.” This can allow your loved one the chance to talk openly about what he or she has been feeling.

Crisis Management: If your loved one tells you that he or she has been thinking about dying by suicide, it’s time to act. The most dangerous suicidal behaviors include a specific plan, means to carry out the act, the time chosen to carry out the act, and the intention to do it. Assess your loved one’s suicidal thoughts and intentions:

• Plan: “Do you have a suicide plan?”
• Means: “Do you have what you need to carry out your plan?”
• Time Set: “Do you know when you’d do it?”
• Intention: “Do you intend to die by suicide?”

If you feel that your loved one is in immediate danger, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately and remove any lethal objects from your loved one’s vicinity. Never, EVER leave a suicidal person alone.

Offer Help: If your loved one is feeling suicidal, do not hesitate to be there for them in any capacity possible. Reassure your loved one that you will be beside them throughout treatment and afterward.

Why seek help for suicidal ideation

If you’re feeling suicidal, you may realize that you’re down in a hole so deep you can’t see the light. You may feel trapped, terrified of what tomorrow will bring, and don’t know how to help yourself. You may find that any thought about the future is met with sadness and apathy – you don’t see that anything is going to get better. Ever. You may feel isolated and alone, afraid that you’re “crazy,” so you don’t speak out because you’re afraid others will think you’re weak. You know you need help and support but you don’t know how to get it.

An inpatient treatment center or hospital for suicidal ideation is one of the most effective ways to help someone who is suicidal get stable. Inpatient care at a treatment center or hospital allows you to escape the problems and worries of your daily life and focus on the one thing that matters most – recovery. Additionally, an inpatient treatment center or hospital will allow you to get better while keeping you safe and free from harm. In an inpatient treatment center or hospital, you’ll connect with others who are struggling with similar feelings so that you can all grow, learn, and heal.

Our philosophy & benefits of suicidal ideation treatment

Highland Ridge Hospital sees every child, teen, adult, and older adult who comes to us for help as a unique individual who requires compassionate, individualized care based upon all the needs of a person – mind, body, and spirit. We aim to be a safe haven of treatment and recovery for people who struggle with mental health disorders and suicidal ideation. Our treatment center’s staff is well versed in our core values: care, compassion, concern, and competence, and you’ll see our dedication in every interaction we have with you.

Suicidal ideation treatment options available at Highland Ridge Hospital

When you first come to Highland Ridge Hospital for help, we will perform a series of comprehensive evaluations to determine what your needs from us will be. Our medical evaluation will allow us to gain greater insight into any medical problems you may be struggling with and determine if you are self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. The psychological evaluation will determine the severity of your suicidal thoughts and discover the presence of any undiagnosed co-occurring mental disorders. We will then sit down with you and put together a plan of care for your stay with at our treatment center.

Medication may be used at the beginning of your stay at Highland Ridge Hospital to gain control over any unpleasant symptoms you may be experiencing. Many people are able to slowly taper down their medication as they learn more effective coping mechanisms and mindfulness. Some people may be on long term medication management to address any mental health concerns.

Individual therapy is a wonderful way that we are able to help you challenge the negative thoughts you have about yourself and the world. At our treatment center, you will spend private time with a therapist, away from the rest of the residents and work to discover the reasons behind your suicidal ideations.

Group therapy is a great way for people who have suicidal thoughts to work with others with similar struggles so that you all can learn, grow, and heal from one another. We offer a variety of group therapy types at Highland Ridge Hospital, including process groups to allow you the time to work through your emotions and psychoeducational groups to educate you about various topics. Topics for group will vary each session and may include anger management, stress reduction, and coping skills.

Family therapy is very important for people who have been struggling with suicidal thoughts. During family sessions at our treatment center, we allow your loved ones to express their emotions in a safe, supportive environment. We’ll also teach your family ways to help you in your recovery as you heal from suicidal ideation.

In addition to traditional therapeutic techniques, we also offer a wide array of experiential treatments at Highland Ridge Hospital to compliment your therapy. These may include:

• Art therapy
• Pet therapy
• Recreation therapy
• Yoga
• Music
• Leisure time
• Meditation
• Craft time
• Movie nights
• Wii games
• Gym & exercise time
• Puzzles, cards, and board games

Continuing care at Highland Ridge

As your time at our treatment center draws to a close, you will work with your discharge planner to make sure you have a plan in place for your continued recovery. Some of our patients decide that they still need the structure of an inpatient program and may opt to join a residential treatment center. Others may feel they’ve made enough progress at Highland Ridge Hospital to step down into a structured partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP). Still others may find they’ve made enough progress in our program that they’re able to discharge to home with referrals to traditional outpatient therapy.

Our treatment center is in Salt Lake City and serves residents from all over Central and Northern Utah. Call one of our admissions counselors today for a free, confidential screening to see how Highland Ridge Hospital can help you regain a happy, healthy life.

Frequently asked questions about suicidal behavior treatment

Where is there suicidal behavior inpatient treatment?

Inpatient treatment for suicidal behavior is available at several hospitals and other treatment centers in Utah and throughout the United States. Inpatient treatment features comprehensive support and around-the-clock monitoring, which can be essential services for a person who has been struggling with suicidal behaviors or thoughts. If you or someone that you care about has been exhibiting suicidal behavior, it is important that you complete a thorough assessment with a qualified healthcare provider so that you can receive the type and level of care that is best for you.

Important note: If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you love may be in immediate danger of taking his or her own life, please contact a local emergency responder or mental health support organization immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Are there rehabs for suicidal people?

Thoughts of suicide are often, but not always, symptoms of a mental health disorder. When suicidal thoughts are associated with depression, PTSD, or another form of mental illness, professional treatment for the disorder can be an essential step in alleviating the urge to end one’s own life. If a person is struggling with thoughts of suicide in addition to a substance abuse problem, comprehensive care in an addiction rehab program should also address the suicidal thoughts.

Important note: If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you love may be in immediate danger of taking his or her own life, please contact a local emergency responder or mental health support organization immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

What are the treatments for suicidal behavior?

Depending upon the needs of the individual, treatment for suicidal behavior may include various types of therapy, and possibly certain medications. The most effective treatment for suicidal behaviors or thoughts must be personalized according to the specific circumstances that caused an individual to consider or attempt to end his or her own life. For example, if a person’s suicidal behavior is related to depression, PTSD, or another mental health disorder, then treatment must address that disorder.

Important note: If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you love may be in immediate danger of taking his or her own life, please contact a local emergency responder or mental health support organization immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

What are the suicide rates in Utah?

According to data collected by the Utah Department of Health, Utah averaged 578 suicides from 2013 to 2015. This puts Utah’s age-adjusted suicide rate at 21.1 per 100,000 people, which is the fifth-highest rate among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Important note: If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you love may be in immediate danger of taking his or her own life, please contact a local emergency responder or mental health support organization immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Can I be hospitalized for suicidal thoughts?

Hospitalization is one of many treatment options for people who have been having thoughts of suicide. Inpatient care, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and traditional outpatient services may all be appropriate, depending upon your needs. If you have been thinking about ending your own life, it is important to speak with a professional so that he or she can conduct a thorough assessment and refer you to the program or provider that is best suited to helping you.

Important note: If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you love may be in immediate danger of taking his or her own life, please contact a local emergency responder or mental health support organization immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Are there Utah suicide watch hospitals?

The term “suicide watch” refers to intensive monitoring and supervision practices that are applied when a patient is determined to be at elevated risk for attempting to end his or her own life. Hospitals and other inpatient treatment facilities in Utah and throughout the United States will have suicide watch protocols that can be implemented as necessary to protect the health and well-being of an individual who is receiving care.

Important note: If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you love may be in immediate danger of taking his or her own life, please contact a local emergency responder or mental health support organization immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

What happens if you go to the hospital for suicidal thoughts?

Specific practices will vary from hospital to hospital. However, when you enter a hospital or other treatment center because you have been having suicidal thoughts, you will typically complete a thorough assessment to help the members of your treatment team identify the full scope and severity of your needs. Based on that assessment, you may participate in various forms of therapy, be prescribed certain medications, and receive referrals to outpatient programming or other step-down support services.

Important note: If you are considering suicide, or you believe that someone you love may be in immediate danger of taking his or her own life, please contact a local emergency responder or mental health support organization immediately, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.