You’re not alone

Suicidal thoughts are difficult, but you don’t have to carry them alone. Having an inescapable sense of despair that triggers thoughts of and behaviors aimed at ending your life are much more common than people realize. In fact, more than 12.5 million U.S. adults experienced suicidal ideation in 2023. 

If you or a loved one has experienced suicidal thoughts, you know that it can feel quite overwhelming to seek help. But know that asking for support is one of the bravest things you can do, and is a life-affirming step, because you matter, and you deserve to be here. 

When is it time to seek help? 

People often misbelieve that they have to be in some sort of a crisis situation to ask for help. If you know the signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation, you can get help for yourself, or a loved one, before you possibly enter into a crisis situation. Suicidal thoughts do not need to reach crisis level to deserve support. 

So what do thoughts of suicide typically look like? It’s hard to say, as these thoughts of ending one’s life will look different for everyone. However, some overlapping symptoms common in multiple clients are: persistent hopelessness, feeling as if there’s no point to anything, being removed from social situations and withdrawing from friends and family. 

If you are having thoughts of ending your life, or hurting yourself call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate and 24/7 support. You deserve to stay, and you deserve to heal. Suicidal thoughts are treatable. You’re strong enough to take the next step, even if it’s small.

5 treatment paths for suicidal ideation

• Crisis support services 

Services like the 988 lifeline offer 24/7/365 confidential support, which is essential during high risk moments. It can also be much easier to talk to someone who does not know you or your situation. 

• Residential Treatment Programs 

Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) offer around the clock care to keep clients safe and stabilized. These programs are often located in calming, homelike settings.

• Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) 

These programs offer structured support during the daytime, without the implementation of overnight supervision. PHPs are effective, intensive programs that still allow clients to return home during the evening.

• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) 

IOPs usually offer clients multiple mental health sessions a week, which could include therapists or psychiatrists. Programs like these are great options for people coming from other mental health treatment programs. 

• Psychotherapy tailored to suicidal ideation 

Effective treatment programs for suicidal thoughts will include an element of psychotherapy counseling. Research shows that various evidence-based modalities of therapy such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are shown to reduce thoughts of suicide in some clients. At Lightfully, we implement all of these kinds of therapies and more into our treatment plans. 

Lightfully supports people experiencing suicidal thoughts

At Lightfully, a clinical treatment provider– not just a therapy organization, we are proud to support and help people who are looking for treatment for suicidal thoughts. We have numerous different treatment programs that fall under our four levels of care, complete with fully customizable and personalized treatment plans that are different for each client. 

Here, we utilize our Precision Care Model (PCM) for how we treat each of our clients. PCM was founded on the principles of combining multiple therapy approaches to be focused on the immediate needs and the bigger goals our clients have. 

Our licensed clinical therapists, psychiatrists and compassionate support staff are exceptionally trained to provide high-quality support, focused on client-first support. Within our levels of care, we offer the following treatment programs to make sure we can meet all of the various needs within the California community. 

1. Residential Treatment Centers (RTC)  
2. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) 
3. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) 
4. Virtual PHP & IOP (vPHP, vIOP) 

We also offer a Short-Term Option for all of the above programs. Our Short-Term Option is ideal for clients who are trying out mental health treatment for the first time, or are just looking for support during a specific time or season. These programs last for about two weeks. 

You deserve to stay, and you deserve to heal. Suicidal thoughts are treatable. You’re strong enough to take the next step, even if it’s small. . 

You’re not alone. If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. Change is possible. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.