A difficult conversation that needs to be had
One of the biggest problems with our current psychiatric system is that many people are afraid to talk honestly about suicidal thoughts because they worry others will immediately assume they need to be hospitalized. While it’s absolutely essential to take someone seriously if they are in immediate danger, there is also an important difference between someone having chronic suicidal thoughts and someone who intends to act on them. We should be able to have open, honest conversations without automatically treating every disclosure as an emergency.
For me, it’s so important to use the 988 crisis lifeline to speak to clinician that can work through how I’m feeling. Whether that’s texting or calling, so (god forbid) I have another attempt, I can reach out to them with dignity and respect, and talk me off the ledge. I find dignity, privacy and respect can go a long way when I need to talk to someone.