268. Coping with Suicidal Thoughts with Kathryn H. Gordon

Suicidal thoughts are a more common human experience than you may realize, and many lives are impacted by suicide. Often suicidal thoughts are an indication that a person is in emotional pain, and there are tools that can help. Talking more openly about suicide can help to reduce stigma, and encourage people to reach out for support. 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and this week we are grateful to have Dr. Katie Gordon, a suicide expert and author of The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook on the show. In this conversation, Katie shares practical ideas that will be helpful for people having suicidal thoughts, as well as their friends and family who want to support them. 

Listen and Learn:

How stigma about suicide can can get in the way of much-needed support, and why we at POTC think it’s important to talk more openly about suicidal thoughts.

Why people think about suicide

Ways to cope with suicidal thoughts and urges

The role of hope and hopelessness in suicidal thinking

The importance of belonging and meaning in suicide prevention

How to support a loved one who is thinking about suicide. 

About safety planning for a suicidal crisis

Resources

Pick up a copy of Katie's book, The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)

Crisis Text Line

Website for International Suicide Hotlines: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

National Sexual Assault Hotline

Trans Lifeline

The Trevor Project

Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Veteran Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Click here for information on what to do when someone is suicidal 

Click here for information on what not to say about suicide

The My3 Safety Planning App

The Virtual Hope Box App for Apple and Google Play 

Postvention Alliance (for coping with suicide attempts or suicide)

SPRC Postvention Resources

Uniting for Suicide Postvention

Click here for information on how to talk to a child about a suicide attempt

Safety Planning Intervention Webpage

A suicide safety plan quick guide 

Two different options for safety planning templates can be found here and here

Grab your copy of all our favorite books at bookshop.org/shop/offtheclockpsych.

Check out Debbie, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more! 

About Katie Gordon

Kathryn Hope Gordon, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist. She lives in the Boston area and specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Prior to working as a therapist, Gordon was a professor for ten years. She is a mental health researcher who has published more than 80 scientific articles and book chapters on suicidal behavior, disordered eating, and related topics. Her clinical scientist approach is informed by her graduate training at Florida State University, and her predoctoral internship at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She is the author of The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook: CBT Skills to Reduce Emotional Pain, Increase Hope, and Prevent Suicide. Gordon cohosts the Psychodrama podcast, blogs for Psychology Today, and shares mental health information through her website: www.kathrynhgordon.com. She writes a newsletter called Mental Health Minute, which you can subscribe to here. She is licensed in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and North Dakota and provides suicide prevention trainings to clinicians.

Related Episodes:

Episode 190. ACT for Suicide Prevention with Sean Barnes

Episode 261. The Secret Life of Secrets with Michael Slepian

Episode 118. Moral Injury and Shame with Lauren Borges and Jacob Farnsworth

Episode 77. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Jill Stoddard

Episode 138. Exploring Existence and Purpose: Existentialism with Robyn Walser

Episode 116. Building a Meaningful, Values-based Life with Jenna LeJeune   

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