Paul Quinnett, in his very helpful book Suicide, The forever Decision had this to say about getting help from our family physicians.

"Over and over again, we are reminded to see our "family doctor" if we are having problems, including emotional ones. I, personally, consider this generally poor advice for people in an emotional crisis. With some notable exceptions and excluding psychiatrists, most physicians have not had the appropriate training or experience to be of much help to emotionally upset people. Busy professionals, many frequently do not have the time to listen to someone whose life's problems are great and who may be thinking of suicide. Many of them work on a fifteen-minute schedule (that's fifteen minutes per patient) and, as a result, most simply do not have an hour to sit down and listen to someone in trouble.

As a result, and as tragic as it is, many people who commit suicide have recently been treated by their family doctors, sometimes on the same day they take their lives. More to the point, many people who attempt suicide use the very medications supplied to them by their physicians. No doctor I know would willing supply a lethal dose of medication to a suicidal person.

So, if you go to your family doctor to discuss your problems, you'd better make darn sure you tell him or her that you are having suicidal thoughts and feelings. If he doesn't want to discuss these with you, or gives you the impression he's too busy to listen, or fails to refer you to someone who has the time to listen, then for Pete's sake, get yourself to someone who is trained, has the time, and understands what an emotional and suicidal crisis is."

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He goes on to point out that doctors are not mind readers and they don't routinely ask if someone is thinking about suicide so, hard as it is, you have to tell him how you are feeling.

I turned to 2 doctors. My therapist first...and my family doctor next. But, I've had this doctor for years and years and he knows me well and my reactions to medications. He knows my struggle with depression very well. And his primary interest (in addition to the obvious other medical needs) is people coping with such things as depression, anxiety, bipolar, and all of those. So in my particular case, my doctor is a good person.

But even as important as him is my therapist. A very kind woman with a lot to say...helping me stay on even keel.

Those 2 in conjunction have 'saved' me more than once.

I wonder if this is an inappropriate thread to bring this up again? But, I want to reiterate what my therapist told me is a validated statistic (because she reminded me again at my last visit). When one commits suicide, the loved ones left behind are 30% more likely to take their own lives at some point in the future as well. So, if you're thinking about 'it', don't forget about those you will leave behind. You can see the devastation suicide leaves in its wake...right here in this forum. Seek help.

Very appropriate dear friend. I know that you remember my talking about walking around the cemetary where Michael is buried with a loaded gun just months after his death.

I remember talking to my wonderful dr. who lost a neice to suicide and she told me "don't do anything stupid!"

You are soooo doing the right thing Doody...you are talking about your feelings with professionals. People cannot help you if they don't know how you feel.

Suicide is an awful legacy to leave those you love...and some people see it as giving permission to the act.

((Ms. Alffe)) that is exactly what my therapist said. Those left behind who become suicidal see a loved one's suicide act as permission for them to commit suicide as well.

Seriously?

Seriously...especially children which is why they must be told the truth about suicide and told that it is not an ok choice.