Suicidal Ideation Treatment Clinic

Learn about suicidal ideations

When someone experiences suicidal ideation, he or she is plagued by persistent thoughts about ending his or her life. These thoughts can involve fleeting ideas, or can develop into thorough, detailed plans. In most cases, suicidal ideation does not lead to actual suicide attempts. However, the longer that these thoughts continue to flow, the idea of actually following through on the ruminations can become more and more appealing. For people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, they are likely to become overwhelmed by wanting to put an end to the relentless inner turmoil that they face on a daily basis. The line between thoughts and actions can be crossed at any time, and the staff at Vermilion’s behavioral health treatment clinic in Lafayette, Lousiana, wants to keep you from taking that potentially fatal step.

At Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems, we understand that suffering from the relentless wave of suicidal ideation can have a devastating impact on a person’s life, so we provide specialized programming designed to meet the sensitive needs of these individuals. With a clear focus on client care and patient safety, our goal is to provide compassionate, individualized, comprehensive, and high-quality care and treatment for adults who are struggling with psychiatric concerns, chemical dependency issues, or co-occurring disorders. At Vermilion’s treatment center, we aim to promote each individual’s mental, emotional, and social wellness by utilizing proven therapeutic techniques and providing a safe and structured treatment environment that is conducive to true healing. You do not have to look far for help. We are here for you.

Helping a loved one get treatment for suicidal ideations

People who experience chronic suicidal ideation are not likely to ask for help. In many cases, they may fear what the repercussions of their admission will be. They may not want to be the cause of concern for their loved ones, or they may simply not want to share their thoughts because of the possibility that they may one day following through on the act of suicide. Regardless, these individuals do not want to be having these thoughts, but they do not know how to make them stop.

If you suspect that your family member or loved one is suffering from suicidal ideation but are unsure as to what the signs are, here are some things to look out for:

• Isolating oneself from friends and family
• Expressing a lack of hope about the future
• Verbalizing feelings of worthlessness (e.g. “I can’t do anything right”)
• Making finalizing statements (e.g. “It’s not worth it anymore”)
• Getting affairs in order
• Self-injuring
• Participating in high risk behaviors
• Displaying a sudden sense of calm or detachment

If these are symptoms you have seen presented by your loved one, then it is time to get help.

Why consider treatment for suicidal ideations at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Suicidal ideation can have a negative impact on many areas of an individual’s life. These people may find it hard to concentrate, may have difficulty experiencing pleasure, may no longer be able to perform appropriately at work or school, or may isolate themselves so much that their relationships begin to fall apart. Some people who experience chronic thoughts of suicide may also turn to using drugs or alcohol as a means of numbing themselves from these disturbing thoughts. Overcoming suicidal ideation can be extremely difficult, and soon, these individuals may see no other option besides acting on their thoughts and ending their lives. Do not let it get to this point. There is no shame in asking for help.

Participating in inpatient treatment services at a mental health clinic can be extremely beneficial at helping individuals win the battle against suicidal ideation. In this environment, people have access to mental health professionals 24/7 who can provide immediate support when these thoughts arise. Similarly, when in at inpatient center, individuals are surrounded by other patients who are going through similar struggles who they can lean on for additional support. During the course of these services, people can work towards overpowering their devastating thoughts while also developing the skills needed to deal with stress and negative emotions in a healthy manner.

Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems philosophy and benefits

For over 30 years, Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems has prided itself in being the most comprehensive, free-standing provider of behavioral health services in the area, providing exceptional patient care in the safest environment possible. Our multidisciplinary team of specialty clinical staff members is devoted to maintaining optimal training and development to increase competencies with all of the different populations that we serve. At Vermilion’s treatment clinic, we strive to help our patients explore and process issues and challenges and increase insight and understanding of their own mental health concerns. By encouraging family involvement and enlisting community support, we aim to assist those who come to us for care in meeting their treatment goals while in the hospital and beyond.

Types of suicidal ideation treatment offered at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA

Upon first arriving at our treatment center, all patients are provided with a free, confidential level of care screening by one of our Assessment and Referral Specialists. After gathering all necessary information, the A&R Specialist will review the evaluation with one of our psychiatrists, who will then recommend the level of care best suited to meet the individual’s needs.

The staff at Vermilion Behavioral Health in Lafayette believes in the power of using rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT) as the main approach to treatment. We have found that this therapeutic model is suited for treating both acute and short-term lengths of stay due to its effectiveness in working quickly by helping patients identify and dispute irrational beliefs and cognitive distortions. By implementing this REBT approach to treatment, the therapeutic interventions that are incorporated in our inpatient programming options include the following:

Detoxification: For adults who come to us dealing with chemical dependency concerns, we provide a fully-monitored medical detox program. As part of the 12-step model of recovery, we implement the idea of “rational recovery,” designed to provide patients with skills that can last a lifetime and prevent future problems with addiction.

Medication management: Patients who are dealing with suicidal ideation may benefit from the use of some form of medication, such as antidepressants or antianxiety agents. When prescribed any type of medication, patients meet with a psychiatrist on a regular basis in order to monitor its effectiveness and to make any necessary changes.

Group therapy: Group therapy is the main component of treatment at our inpatient treatment clinic. Various groups are held on a daily basis and may include discussions on mental illness education, problem-solving, goal-setting, anger management, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, effective communication skills, medication education, and holistic wellness.

Individual therapy: Individual counseling sessions are held on an as-needed basis and provide patients with time to meet one-on-one with a therapist in order to discuss any specific struggles they are facing, as well as to reflect on goals that have been reached.

Family therapy: We believe that positive changes are initiated through the family unit as a whole, which is why we strongly encourage the family members of our patients to actively participate in the therapeutic process. Family therapy sessions are designed to address issues that affect the entire family and begin the process of identifying solutions. We also offer parents and caregivers education on mental illness and medication management so that they can effectively help their loved one.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): This form of therapy is designed to help people create a rich and meaningful life by developing the skills needed to effectively handle the pain and stress that inevitably comes with life’s experiences.

In order to provide a fully comprehensive therapeutic experience, Vermilion also provides the following:

• Experiential therapies
• Expressive therapies
• Recreation therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for suicidal ideations

At Vermilion’s mental health treatment clinic, we believe that thorough planning is critical to ensuring that a patient is discharged into the most supportive environment possible after his or her inpatient stay. By doing so, we are able to endorse a positive continuity of care and quality of life, maximize stabilization, and minimize the need for re-hospitalization. Our social services staff works with each patient’s treatment team to develop a discharge plan based on the patient’s needs, resources, preferences, geographic location of residence, family involvement, and community resources. With patient consent, this plan is then passed on to the designated discharge planner who initiates referrals, schedules appointments, and finalizes any other necessary arrangements.

Whatever your needs may be, the staff at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems in Lafayette, LA will do everything in their power to get you back on the road to a happy, healthy life.