Suicide And Self-harm

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Whatever it is that you’ve been struggling with has simply become too much. Likely, you’ve already worked hard to try and support yourself, to get better, to reach out for help, or to just try and push forward. But despite your efforts, you can’t seem to get better. It’s just too much, and you’re left with feelings of hopelessness towards a struggle seemingly without end.

Suicidal thoughts are a common symptom that can show up with a number of mental health concerns. For many individuals struggling with them, the thoughts can represent an option for coping with things that seem utterly intolerable. Some individuals who are struggling with suicidal ideation may take steps to act on these thoughts- creating a plan, gathering or preparing necessary items, or writing notes for others to discover later. This can ultimately escalate into suicidal attempts, the outcome of which can result in hospitalization or death.

Conversely, self-harm is an action we take that does bring harm to our bodies, but the point is not to die. For many, the purpose of self-harm can be to help manage overwhelming thoughts, feelings, or physical symptoms, or to help escape feelings of numbness (to “feel something”). There are many other functions that self-harm can serve, such as representing an effort to communicate with those around us. Regardless of the function, self-harm is often a way to temporarily silence the noise in your head or to escape feeling overwhelmed. But the relief is always short-lived, and in the long-run the problems remain.

Suicide and self-harm are serious issues that can escalate into a life-threatening concern, and as such require appropriate treatment. Therapy can help you navigate these concerns, offering strategies for effective coping in the interest of long term change and healing. This is an area of particular interest for our clinic, and we encourage you to reach out now and receive the support that’s needed before things get worse.

*** if you are experiencing suicidal concerns and feel you may be in crisis or at imminent risk of harm, please proceed to your nearest emergency room. You can still book an appointment with our clinic later, and we will still work with you to create a plan towards recovery even if you are hospitalized.***

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Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are experienced by many individuals.

  • In Canada, approximately 4,500 people die by suicide each year, but for every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide.

  • A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide in the general population.

  • Suicide rates are approximately 3 times higher amongst men compared to women, but woman are more likely to attempt suicide.

  • Experiencing conflict, discrimination, disaster, violence, abuse or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behaviour.

  • Many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship disputes, or chronic pain and illness.

  • Many people Jim has worked with have already tried to speak about suicide or self-harm with friends, family, and even other healthcare workers or therapists- only to experience disappointment. This is why working with someone experienced is essential for working with these concerns.

    Jim has spent 8 years working with suicide and self-harm concerns in correctional facilities and has been trained by recognized leaders in the field. He speaks on the topic of suicide assessment and intervention regularly and has provided training to other mental health professionals on this important subject.

    Therapy for suicidal thoughts and/or self-harm is not just about talking- working with Jim means building a plan of action to help you handle difficult moments more effectively, to help break the patterns you may be caught in and start moving towards long term change.

    You can learn more about Jim’s experience here. You can book a free 15-minute consult here.

  • Therapy services can be costly, especially for this without or with limited insurance plans who are forced to consider paying out of pocket. For those in need, Jim is able to offer sliding scale services at a reduced rate of payment to help receive the support needed and work towards stabilization and recovery.

  • Yes, I am currently setup to work with WSIB and Veteran’s affairs Canada to offer services. Depending on your specific circumstances, I may be able to bill these organizations directly. Reach out to me today to learn more.

  • An important part of working with Jim in therapy is to help create a plan to handle emergencies/crisis situations, and for many individuals this is worked on in the very first session.

    If you are experiencing immediate and overwhelming thoughts of bringing harm to yourself, it is critical that you reach out to receive appropriate support immediately. Please consider attending your nearest emergency room, or making use of one of the following resources:

    Many individuals who I’ve worked with that struggle with suicide and/or self-harm are reluctant to attend a hospital for a variety of reasons. This is understandable, and there is likely an important reason why this is the case. At the same time, receiving help for these concerns is of paramount importance.

    If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm, please reach out today and I will respond to you within 1 business day.

  • I currently offer services in-person (Newmarket, Ontario) and virtually over a secure, PHIPA-compliant platform that ensures the safety of your personal health information. My experience providing services virtually is that this affords my clients the flexibility of speaking to me from the comfort of their own homes, and also allows me the opportunity to offer accessible services to anyone in my area of coverage (Ontario, New Brunswick, Nunavut Quebec, and Nova Scotia).

It can get better

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Therapy for suicide and self-harm is about finding new ways of responding to the intense pain and emotional distress that often lead to these behaviors. When we feel overwhelmed by our thoughts and emotions—whether they’re about ourselves, our relationships, or the world around us—the instinctive response can sometimes be to turn to self-harm or even thoughts of suicide as a way to temporarily escape or silence that pain. These behaviors may bring a fleeting sense of relief, giving us a momentary distraction from the intensity we’re feeling. But how long does that relief last? For many, the pain comes back quickly, sometimes even stronger than before.

Over time, getting stuck in self-harm or suicidal thoughts can create a dangerous cycle, leaving us feeling more isolated and disconnected from the world around us. In treatment, the goal is to help you find healthier, more sustainable ways of managing this emotional pain. Together, we’ll work to understand the root causes of the distress and develop skills to cope with it in safer ways. We’ll explore healthier alternatives that allow you to express and process your emotions without risking your well-being. Over time, you’ll learn that while the pain may not disappear immediately, there are ways to handle it that don’t involve self-destruction.

Through therapy, we focus on building emotional resilience, identifying triggers, and understanding the patterns of thought that lead to harmful behaviors. By developing these tools, we can help you break the cycle of pain and harm, and begin to rebuild a sense of hope and safety. You don’t have to go through this alone, and together, we can work toward healing and reclaiming a life of meaning and connection.

Learn more about Jim’s experience below, or reach out today to book a consult.

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