During the month of Mental Health Awareness in May 2019, BetterHelp will be donating $50 to one of 20 different mental health organizations on behalf of anyone with a website that is willing to publish original content on their website that discusses a mental health & wellness topic.
We at DBTOC wanted to increase awareness of mental health and support one of these amazing organizations for all that they do!
An important mental health concern today is the rise of suicide in the United States. Suicide is now a leading cause of death (CDC, 2018). Rates have increased significantly since 1999. Many problems can contribute to suicide including challenges with one’s mental health, relationships, or physical health, and job, money, legal, or housing stress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is the gold-standard treatment for those experiencing suicidality and self-harm. The goal in DBT is to eliminate these problem behaviors and to increase healthy coping skills in order to build a Life Worth Living.
Warning signs of suicide can include isolation, increased anxiety and substance abuse, extreme mood swings and sleeping too much or too little.
In September 2018, we joined the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to help with suicide prevention and awareness. We shared ways to help someone at risk in this blog post. You can help by asking someone if they are having thoughts about suicide, make means less available, listen without judgment, increase their support and follow up with how they are doing.
DBT can also help with these warning signs and help people learn ways to better support themselves. A comprehensive DBT model includes individual DBT therapy, skills training, phone coaching and consultation team. DBT teaches healthier coping skills from four main modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Therapists target problem behaviors including self-harm and suicidal ideation using a diary card. Therapists validate what the patient is going through and how they are feeling. They accept where they are currently at, while simultaneously encouraging change toward their best self. Skills are taught to increase mindful awareness, decrease stress, better manage emotions, problem solve, reduce vulnerabilities and improve communication and personal boundaries.
People become more mindful of their needs and urges and choose more wise-minded actions to support their wellness. They also become able to take intentional steps toward their long-term goals and living their values.
There is hope and DBT can help. To learn more about DBT please visit Behavioral Tech’s Website or read through our DBTOC Blogs. To acquire more knowledge about suicide prevention please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website.
If you are currently experiencing suicide, call the prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 911.
