This is from the book "Touched by Suicide ..Hope and Healing after Loss"
by Michael Myers, MD and Carla Fine, author of No Time to Say Goodbye

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The goal of therapy is to reduce suffering and instill hope so that you can survive what at times does not feel survivable. Here's how speaking with
a mental health professional may be able to help you at this time.

* You will get an assessment from a trained professional about the current state of your health - simply put, how well or ill you are. This will give you a perspective on yourself that you do not have at the moment.

* Your therapist will acknowledge the stigma associated with seeking professional help, and will understand your reticence or ambivalence as well as honor your decision to seek help.

* You will get an opportunity to talk without interruption, nonstop if you like. Therapists are there to listen.

* You can cry without anyone trying to shut you down. Or if you can't cry but want to, your therapist is grained to gently facilitate this.

* You can express your anger, rage, and resentment, again without anyone trying to judge you or shut you down.

* Your therapist will be able to explain things that don't make any sense to you. He or she will help you to ask questions and live with unanswered questions.

* You will not be pushed to talk about subjects that are too painful or that you are not ready to discuss.

* Even though you are speaking with a mental health professional, you can feel free to talk about the care - or lack of care - your loved one received, and your anger and disappointment at the mental health professionals who treated him or her. If you are struggling with indecision about suing or not, you should be able to discuss the conflict you're having about this with your own therapist.

* You can talk about feeling suicidal yourself. Your therapist will want to examine this in great detail with you, to understand your reasons, and to monitor and protect you.

* You will know that everything you discuss is private and confidential.

* Unlike talking to your friends and members of your family, you do not have to worry about "wearing out" your therapist.

Most important, when you see a mental health professional for help and support, you will feel safe and in good hands. You will know that your therapist cares about you and is watching out for you, especially now, when it's so difficult for you to be your own protector.

I'm sorry about the length of the above post but when I read that today I thought well who could refuse that?? But having no experience with professional therapists (other than socially) I have to wonder how easy it is to find such compassion, skill....etc...I mean is it behind every door today?

Has everyone finally been educated, trainned and have enough experience to actually help?

Forgive my skepticisim....I would run towards such a dr. but has anyone here found new life with their therapist?

if it were just so easy to find someone good to talk to.

you take that step..book an appointment...have your hopes up that you have finally found that special person who will listen and understand. then wham...you either just don't click...or the dr sits there with a blank look and gives you no response other than repeat your own questions back.

my experience is socially too. hubby has 2 therapists that he trains. hehe...kinda gets us and grandmonkey some freeby advice. i know from talking to them, that just like any proffesional...skills vary.

maybe that is why forums like this are so important. we can't see the expressions on faces when we post. we are not limited to "talking" at a certain designated time. oops...ding ding...time is up...next. kwim? no limit to once a week to post...or only 45 minutes. you have 24/7 to reach out for help. and get advice from people who have been there.

Amen to that Curious! It's a wonderfully compassionate book...both the authors interest are rooted in tragedy. Dr.Myers lost a roomate when they were both lst year medical students and Carla Fine lost a husband to suicide...if memory serves me (and it seldom does) he was also a dr.

Here is a portion of what Dr.Myers says in the Introduction....

"I am troubled by the loneliness and desperaton of individuals who struggle with thoughts of suicide, as well as the confusion of their families and other loved ones. I am troubled by the anguish, regret, and anger often expressed by those who attempt suicide and live to talke about it. Much of my teaching of medical students and physicians-in-training is about how to assess patients for suicide risk and how to prevent them from harming themselves. I am known as a clinician who is not afraid to delve into the private hell of despairing individuals who feel relieved to speak about their thoughts of self-harm and who welcome the opportunity to talk and receive support and guidance."

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Well there is a man who "gets it". There surely must be lines outside his door.

And I so agree with you about forums like this one...at times, you can almost feel the arms reaching out toward you.

I'm also am trying to stumble though a book that was recommended to me,
"Feelings Buried Alive Never Die...... by Karol Truman. So far I just don't get it. ~sigh....BUT...I haven't given up!

Alfie

You hit the nail on the head. If all were trained in this manner People with mental health problems would benefit greatly.
In 1992 I Practically cut my left hand off. Even today i have pins and needles in my thumb and first three fingers. At the time i was met only by agressision, and ambivalence in the ambulance, the A+E department AND then the ward i was put on. One nurse who in her own kind sort of way said, 'the only way to get on in life love, is to suffer silently'

I hope the article you posted becomes the norm and hopefully worldwide as well. The UK is still in the dark ages with Suicide, and people who attempt it dont always get the listening ear their desperately looking for.

Its time for a change.....................

Hi David...well I certainly don't agree with the nurse that told you that suffering in silence was the way....My mother always said that it's the squeeky wheel that gets the oil and I must be more like her than I realize.
I rant and rave, kick and scream....not that it makes any difference but I think we have to stand up for what we believe in.

Our countries healthcare systems (are you rolling your eyes yet?) are very different and like Canada's, much in the news these days. The U.S. is claiming to try and change ours so "everyone" will be covered...fat chance!

I watched part of Oprah's show today...Michael Moore was a guest and he has it nailed., have you seen his movie? There also were reps from insurance companies, and hospitals there trying to say how many many claims were paid but Oprah held their feet to the fire.

I know that we are trying hard to get smarter about suicide in this country and feel that progress is being made...unfortunately it isn't reflected in the numbers...going up and up. Maybe the difference is we're talking more openly about it and that should help with the dang stigma that's associated with it.

Sorry to go on and on but I feel strongly about the subject.

I'm glad for your imput and sorry about your hand.