Suicidal Thoughts Treatment Center & Hospital in Austin

Learn more about suicidal thoughts treatment at Cross Creek Hospital in Austin, TX

Broadly defined as the desire to take one’s own life or suffering from pervasive thoughts about suicide, suicidal ideation can range from a short-lived thought to a well laid out plan. However, it does not include the final act of killing oneself and, more often than not, those who experience suicidal thoughts do not act on them. Cross Creek Hospital offers exemplary mental health care for those who are facing the distressing symptoms of suicidal ideation, including various therapeutic interventions that are designed to alleviate symptoms and provide sufferers with skills for coping with any co-occurring disorder that may be present. Failing to seek treatment for suicidal ideations can disrupt multiple areas of a person’s life. By seeking and receiving care at Cross Creek Hospital, a hospital for suicidal ideations treatment in Austin, individuals with suicidal thoughts can find relief from any disruption and stress caused by their condition and go on to lead healthy and productive lives.

Helping a loved one get treatment for suicidal thoughts

Having a loved one who is experiencing suicidal thoughts can be extremely upsetting and, in many cases, even scary. In this type of situation, you may not know exactly what you can do to help, and you may be left wondering whether or not your loved one truly is contemplating ending his or her own life. However, in the instance of suicide, taking action is always the best choice, even if it turns out that your loved one was not intending on following through with the suicidal thoughts that he or she has been plagued by. Here are some steps to take when helping a loved one who is experiencing suicidal ideation:

• Determine if your loved one is in danger of acting on his or her thoughts by asking him or her a series of direct questions, such as, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself or do you know how you would do it?” Being open, honest, and direct is of the utmost importance when discussing the presence of suicidal ideation. When talking to your loved one, be sure to listen to what he or she has to say and be sensitive, not judgmental.
• Be on the lookout for common warning signs that may indicate that your loved one is considering suicide, such as making statements of hopelessness or frequently talking and/or writing about death.
• Recognize that your loved one needs professional help and encourage him or her to seek the treatment that he or she so desperately needs. Furthermore, offer to help your loved one find an appropriate treatment center that will address his or her specific concerns.
• Offer your continued support as your loved one obtains treatment for the underlying cause of his or her suicidal thoughts.
• If you believe that your loved one is actively suicidal, get help immediately and do not leave him or her alone until properly trained professionals are able to meet with and assess him or her.

Why consider treatment for suicidal thoughts at Cross Creek Hospital in Austin, TX

Long-term thoughts of suicide can take a toll on an individual, eventually causing him or her to be unable to function properly on a daily basis. An individual with suicidal thoughts may feel completely isolated and believe that no one understands the pain that he or she is facing. Additionally, since suicidal ideation is usually indicative of a mental health disorder, an individual is usually left feeling as if there is no way out as he or she unsuccessfully tries to cope with the emotional distress that the mental illness has brought on. Should suicide actually be attempted, an individual can severely harm him or herself, causing a number of physical injuries and permanent damage. In the worst cases these attempts can end in death.

Types of suicidal thoughts treatment offered at Cross Creek Hospital in Austin, TX

At Cross Creek Hospital, a suicidal thoughts treatment center in Austin, we are devoted to providing everyone who seeks care at our hospital for suicidal ideation with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Our all-encompassing goal for treatment is to help men, women, and adolescents improve their overall functioning by helping them to stabilize and to continue their recovery with new tools that they will be taught in the treatment setting. We are proud to be able to achieve this goal by utilizing the structure and processes of a treatment model that combines cognitive-behavioral therapy, experiential therapies, and didactic therapies.

All of the treatment methods implemented in our inpatient hospital utilize a multidisciplinary focus in order to ensure that an integrated approach to treatment that facilitates increased stabilization and growth is received by all patients. Furthermore, we place a high regard on the involvement of our patients’ families, knowing that their contribution to the therapeutic process is paramount to successful healing. The emphasis of our treatment here at Cross Creek Hospital is not diagnosis-specific, but rather focuses on treating the symptoms that are plaguing each individual. We are devoted to implementing a truly holistic approach at our hospital that aims to maximize patient care and help them achieve their highest level of functioning.

The following methods for care may be incorporated into the individualized treatment plans that are given to each adolescent, adult, and senior adult who are engaged in services for the treatment of suicidal ideation at Cross Creek Hospital:

Medication management: A patient’s need for medication is always determined on a case-by-case basis at our hospital. Patients meet with a psychiatrist at least once each day so that the therapeutic effectiveness of any medications that have been prescribed can be monitored and changes can be made when necessary. Additionally, there are also nurses on staff who assist in monitoring medication needs.

Individual therapy: This individual case consultation will occur at a minimum of once each week at our treatment center, but additional sessions can be added whenever needed or deemed beneficial to the patient. Various members of our patients’ treatment teams, including their assigned individual therapists, provide such consultations and afford patients a time to meet one-to-one to discuss any concerns they have, process through various emotions they are experiencing, and to track treatment goals.

Family therapy: Family involvement is important in the overall success of treatment for our patients. Keeping this in mind, family therapy sessions are held at least once each week for our adolescent patients and are held on as-needed basis for our adult patients at our hospital. For the family members of those who are struggling with the symptoms of suicidal ideation, this can be a time for them to learn about the illness itself, while also gaining valuable knowledge on ways in which they can be of best support to their loved one.

Group therapy: Group therapy is a significant component to the treatment options offered here at Cross Creek Hospital. The types of groups that our patients may engage in can include:

• Addictions groups apply the 12-step addictions model for recovery to a wide range of self-destructive behaviors, including self-mutilation, disordered eating, and unhealthy personal relationships.
• Journaling groups provide a structured setting for developing therapeutic and recovery skills in the form of journaling, keeping a diary, completing homework assignments, and other writing tasks.
• Education groups teach patients about the origin and the nature of the disorder(s) that they are suffering from. In these groups, patients learn to identify problems, form a treatment plan, and work effectively on obtaining recovery and maintaining stability.
• Process groups provide a structured setting for the discussion of issues and concerns that are identified by patients. This group focuses on the processing of feelings, internal communication and cooperation, and participation in healthy group feedback.
• Music therapy groups provide an emotionally evocative group setting that is designed to provide the participants with an opportunity to practice affect management skills.
• Healthy relationships groups focus on developing social skills and practicing health interactions. It provides a forum for structured, supportive risk-taking and practicing assertiveness, and the giving and taking of feedback.
• Discharge planning groups provide an opportunity for building skills that will improve the quality of life after discharge and reduce the likelihood of readmission.

Experiential therapy: In an attempt to provide a truly holistic approach to treatment, the staff at Cross Creek Hospital offers a number of experiential therapeutic options for our patients using things such as psychodrama and recreational techniques. These therapies are designed to teach patients skills for appropriate risk-taking, internal communication and cooperation, and expressing needs and fears. Examples of the experiential therapies that patients may engage in while at our hospital include:

• Physical wellness and exercise therapy program
• Animal assisted therapy
• Relaxation integration – This type of experiential modality is designed to increase self-esteem, motivation, and energy levels by providing a forum for learning and practicing leisure and social skills, while also developing healthy support systems.
• Art therapy – This type of therapy is used to teach nonverbal strategies for expressing thoughts, feelings, and behavior in a healthy fashion. It is meant to be a technique for individuals to learn how to “tell without talking.” The art therapy groups also involve verbal processing of the artwork that is created.

Continuing care and levels of treatment for suicidal thoughts

At Cross Creek Hospital, we want to ensure that each patient will have continued success in healing and maintaining recovery after completing inpatient care at our hospital. In order to do this, we make it a priority to begin discharge planning from the moment a patient is admitted into our hospital. This plan coincides with a patient’s treatment plan and aims to address any concerns or needs for further, less intensive treatment after engaging in our programming.

Our caring and compassionate staff will work with patients and their families to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment recommendations that will allow our patients to refine and build upon the skills learned at Cross Creek Hospital. Recommendations will be provided based on each patient’s needs so that the treatment goals achieved while at our hospital can be upheld and exceeded, decreasing a patient’s need for a higher level of care going forward. Furthermore, a member of our staff will contact patients 48 to 72 hours after being discharged to ensure that a successful transition from Cross Creek Hospital to each patient’s respective community or continuing care center has been achieved.

At Cross Creek Hospital, we will do all that we can to help you or a loved one overcome the presence of suicidal ideation so that a happy, fulfilling life can be achieved.