As a retired psychiatric nurse practitioner, I read "Redefining Suicide" with great interest. It defined the problem clearly and offered practical informatior on suicide prevention. However, all of the people quoted in the article failed to mention one thing that I consider of paramount importance in reducing suicide risk: the instillation of hope. Suicide contracts don't work if no hope is offered. When I was practicing, I had very frank conversations with my patients regarding suicide, specifically impulsivity. When I contracted with my patients, I always tried to offer them hope, reassuring them that I would be with them on their journey and that I was not going to give up trying to help them, and they should not give up either. Offering hope that life can be different, that they can be different and that someone will be there with them can be powerful medicine.
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