Year: 2009 Source: Psychiatric Services, v.60, no.9, (September 2009), p.1214-1221 SIEC No: 20100981

This study examines how individuals with serious mental illness & a history of suicidal behaviour cope with suicidal thoughts. 198 participants from 14 regional consumer-run Hope Dialogues in New York State wrote up to 5 strategies they use to deal with suicide ideation. Strategies were classified according to grounded theory. First responses included spirituality, talking to someone, positive thinking, using the mental health system, considering the consequences of suicide to family & friends, using peer supports, & doing something pleasurable. Only 12% considered the mental health system a frontline strategy even though formal therapeutic supports were available to the majority of participants. (88 refs.) JA