Suicidal ideation — thoughts about ending one’s own life — ranges from passive thoughts (‘I wish I wasn’t here’) to active planning. Suicidal thoughts are not a character weakness or moral failing — they are a signal that a person is in profound pain and that the pain exceeds their current capacity to cope (Joiner, 2005).
With the right support, suicidal crises can be survived — and the conditions that produce suicidal thinking can be treated.
Warning signs that someone may be at risk include:
Approximately 3,000 Australians die by suicide each year — more than double the national road toll. Effective psychological treatment reduces suicidal ideation, behaviour, and completion (Zalsman et al., 2016).
Thomas Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide identifies three conditions that produce the most serious suicidal risk: thwarted belonging (isolation, disconnection), perceived burdensomeness (believing others would be better off without you), and acquired capability (habituation to pain and fear of death through prior self-harm or adversity) (Joiner, 2005).
Effective psychological treatment addresses:
DBT, CBT, and CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) all produce significant reductions in suicidal ideation and behaviour compared to standard treatment (Zalsman et al., 2016).
Our psychologists use approaches with the strongest evidence for suicidal ideation:
A collaborative, evidence-based framework for assessing and managing suicidal risk. The therapist and client work together to understand what drives suicidal thinking and develop a personalised stabilisation plan. CAMS produces significant reductions in suicidal ideation and associated distress (Jobes, 2016).
The most extensively researched treatment for chronic suicidality and self-harm, particularly for people with BPD and emotion dysregulation. DBT reduces suicidal ideation, attempts, and hospitalisation (Linehan et al., 2015).
Addresses hopelessness — the most proximal cognitive predictor of suicidal behaviour — and builds problem-solving, reasons for living, and cognitive restructuring of the hopeless beliefs driving suicidal thinking (Brown et al., 2005).
Suicidal ideation is almost always a symptom of treatable underlying conditions — depression, PTSD, BPD, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. Effective treatment of the underlying condition is the most powerful long-term strategy for reducing suicidal risk.
We are experienced in working with both acute and chronic suicidal ideation. Safety planning is a core part of our work from the first session.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out. You do not need to be in crisis to seek help — you can contact us at any stage.
Your first appointment includes a collaborative safety assessment. We work with you to understand your specific situation and develop practical safety strategies.
We coordinate with GPs and psychiatrists where appropriate to ensure you have the full level of support you need.
We offer appointments in-clinic at our Mooroolbark, Wheelers Hill, Reservoir, and Melbourne CBD locations, as well as Telehealth sessions from anywhere in Australia.
WorkCover, NDIS or TAC approved? YOU PAY NOTHING.
If your claim has been approved, we bill your funder directly. Zero out-of-pocket cost — no gap, no upfront payment, nothing.
Suicidal thinking is a signal that you need more support than you currently have. We can help. You matter.
Our psychologists are trained in a wide range of evidence-based approaches across many presentations. Browse our full directory of conditions and therapies we work with.
Brown, G. K., Ten Have, T., Henriques, G. R., Xie, S. X., Hollander, J. E., & Beck, A. T. (2005). Cognitive therapy for the prevention of suicide attempts. JAMA, 294(5), 563–570. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.294.5.563
Jobes, D. A. (2016). Managing suicidal risk: A collaborative approach (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.
Joiner, T. E. (2005). Why people die by suicide. Harvard University Press.
Linehan, M. M., Korslund, K. E., Harned, M. S., Gallop, R. J., Lungu, A., Neacsiu, A. D., McDavid, J., Comtois, K. A., & Murray-Gregory, A. M. (2015). Dialectical behavior therapy for high suicide risk in individuals with borderline personality disorder. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(5), 475–482. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3039
Zalsman, G., Hawton, K., Wasserman, D., van Heeringen, K., Arensman, E., Sarchiapone, M., Carli, V., Höschl, C., Barzilay, R., Balazs, J., Purebl, G., Kahn, J. P., Sáiz, P. A., Lipsicas, C. B., Bobes, J., Cozman, D., Hegerl, U., & Zohar, J. (2016). Suicide prevention strategies revisited: 10-year systematic review. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(7), 646–659. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30030-X
