Suicide and Self-Harm: A Personal Story
It was my first overnight shift working in a group home with foster-care teen girls. I was a first-year master’s student, scared of everything, while simultaneously trying to prepare myself to become an emboldened therapist. I was already scared because it was my first overnight shift, but I had less than 10 minutes to feel those feelings before I heard a girl shouting from one of the rooms: “I hate my life, I don’t want to do this,” followed by the sound of a mirror breaking. I ran to the door and tried to push it open, only to find the teen had broken a mirror and was hysterically crying and shouting, “I’m going to cut myself.” I felt an overwhelming sense of empathy but also a fear that I did not have the tools necessary to help her. I used the only tools I had: I listened and gave her space to cry. It took her about an hour to regulate, but this incident led me to the conclusion that I need to learn more and educate myself on ways to help. This event, among many others, sparked my journey with EMDR. Today, I want to talk about suicide, self-harm, and how EMDR and PHP can help.
Understanding Trauma and Its Link to Suicide
Just like all the girls I worked with, many other people have also experienced trauma. Research done by Simon Proudlock discovered that those who have experienced trauma are 15 times more likely to die by suicide than those who haven’t.
How EMDR Helps in Suicide Prevention
EMDR is such an important tool to help with trauma, suicide, and self-harm because it includes resourcing. Resourcing helps the client ground themselves and find peace and calm when triggered. An individual might view suicide as an endpoint, but the backstory of this journey includes many risk factors and distressing events that can be addressed with EMDR and PHP levels of care.
The Difference Between Suicide and Self-Harm
Suicide and self-harm are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are actually two entirely separate behaviors for the client. As a professional, it is important to identify the intention behind the behavior. For example, the intention behind self-harm can be communication, not harm. A question I ask my clients who have self-harmed is, “What is your self-harm trying to say?” The answer to this question can be the negative cognition used in the process of EMDR, and the process of EMDR can help release the trauma from the body through the action of Bilateral Stimulation—the body healing itself.
Helplessness, Hopelessness, and Therapy
A suicidal client might adopt a helpless and hopeless mindset in therapy. A therapist can help by simply listening to their pain, validating their feelings, normalizing their situation, and acknowledging their truth. Through EMDR, the therapist can elicit hope, optimism, and confidence through the process of Bilateral Stimulation.
The Role of PHP in Treating Suicide and Self-Harm
Similar to EMDR, PHP is a level of care that can help people in distress. PHP stands for Partial Hospitalization Program. I had no idea what such a program looked like until I entered the mental health field, and I assume many of you might have some curiosity about it as well. The name is more intimidating than the program actually is, as it is considered an outpatient program, meaning the client has full autonomy over their time and decisions outside of PHP hours. What PHP offers is education, space, and time to heal mental health. A typical PHP program is a significant time investment, requiring attendance for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. But what exactly happens during those hours? The program typically includes processing and discussion groups, psychoeducation, art, music, yoga, and lunch. PHP also includes two individual therapy sessions per week, with options for family therapy and the incorporation of EMDR therapy.
How PHP Supports Clients with EMDR Therapy
Elevated Healing is unique in that it offers EMDR therapy for trauma, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.
Final Thoughts: Healing Through EMDR and PHP
I often think back to that night—the fear I felt about factors completely out of my control, and the overwhelming sadness of that young girl. It was a hard night, but getting through it motivated me to discover and learn tools to help others in similar situations. Now, I feel a little more capable and experienced, and I’m deeply grateful for that growth.