Discussion do therapists actually break confidentiality if you mention self harm/sucide?

[troonbeau]

almost everybody in my life at some point has told me to get therapy, and now that i have a good amount of money to pay for it, i think i will. but i'm worried it's not going to do anything for me, i've already pretty much decided i wanted to ctb sometime soon but i'm really sick of being miserable every day, so, therapy it is. anyways, i'm wondering if anybody here has talked to a therapist about suicide/self harm. i've read online that they contact police/ems, family members, etc when you say that you're going to/have been harming yourself. has anyone actually experienced that? i want to discuss my tendencies with an expert but im worried they'll call somebody on me.

sorry if this is a dumb question/posted in the wrong place, this is my first post

 

[ritahaddad]

if you SH they prolly wont and even if you say you think about suicide they probably wont but if you show signs of planning and or attempting then ya they throw you in a mental hospital

 

[whywere]

At least in my case, YES!!!!!!!!!!!

One time when I caught my now ex-cheating, I called and talked a few minutes. The next thing I knew, the cop dispatcher called my cell phone and told me to unlock my door and come out. I asked what?

Unlocked and opened the door and cops rushed in and grabbed me and hauled me off to the psychic ward.

Found out later that a receptionist was told to "call the cops" on me.

So, at least in my case, a 100% YES!!!!

Walter

I am in the U.S. if that matters.

 

[troonbeau]

At least in my case, YES!!!!!!!!!!!

One time when I caught my now ex-cheating, I called and talked a few minutes. The next thing I knew, the cop dispatcher called my cell phone and told me to unlock my door and come out. I asked what?

Unlocked and opened the door and cops rushed in and grabbed me and hauled me off to the psychic ward.

Found out later that a receptionist was told to "call the cops" on me.

So, at least in my case, a 100% YES!!!!

Walter

I am in the U.S. if that matters.

thank you. i was kind of hoping i was just being paranoid but it sounds like i was right for suspecting. im sorry to hear they did that to you.

 

[Codename_Joker]

People make it impossible to be honest. Ignoring the cost of therapy I really don't like the thought of feeling like I need to walk on eggshells for help.

 

[Dejected 55]

They might. It's a tough call. I think they have a legal obligation to intervene if they sincerely believe you might be a danger to yourself or others. The problem that comes in is that their belief and your intentions in the moment could be miles apart... but a good therapist who actually cares... do they risk not intervening if they think you might be at risk?

I'd have a tough time blaming a therapist for acting on a sincere belief out of genuine concern. But all situations are unique and some people misinterpret things. It goes both ways too. Sometimes they overreact and you end up in a situation you didn't deserve... sometimes they might ignore an obvious sign, you take your life, and they feel guilty they didn't do something.

 

[doomedbynarrative]

Check the laws where you live. Especially if you're in the USA. Different states have different laws. Where I live merely talking about it without expressing a plan doesn't mean automatic psych ward depending on the therapist. Some give you what's called a Safety Plan that you fill out with them and they keep a copy on file.

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

Therapists are mandated reporters, just like school counselors, social workers, etc.

A therapist should only call for an involuntary psychiatric hold if you state complete intention to harm yourself or others (self-harm, suicide, murder, etc), or if they believe you are an imminent risk.

Should.

Unfortunately mental health workers can tend to be very "trigger happy," and report you for discussing normal urges/ideation. Thankfully, my therapist is not one of those types, and we talk about suicide frequently. I asked them ahead of time, explaining that talking out my ideation/urges is actually the best way to avoid me hurting myself.

 

[inextremis]

I don't bother with therapy anymore but I used to be fairly open with my therapist when I was going. You can tell them you're suicidal. You just can't say "I'm going to ctb tomorrow" or something. They legally have to inpatient you if you're an imminent threat to yourself.

 

[troonbeau]

They might. It's a tough call. I think they have a legal obligation to intervene if they sincerely believe you might be a danger to yourself or others. The problem that comes in is that their belief and your intentions in the moment could be miles apart... but a good therapist who actually cares... do they risk not intervening if they think you might be at risk?

I'd have a tough time blaming a therapist for acting on a sincere belief out of genuine concern. But all situations are unique and some people misinterpret things. It goes both ways too. Sometimes they overreact and you end up in a situation you didn't deserve... sometimes they might ignore an obvious sign, you take your life, and they feel guilty they didn't do something.

i wouldnt blame them, if i were in their position i'd probably do the same thing.

i guess i'll have to see if they're somebody i can really connect with. if they are, i'd probably be less inclined to hide it from them because i already have a lot of people in my life who i know i'll let down, adding them to the list when i had barely known them would be very cruel

 

[aRose]

Mandated reporters are the worst. Yes they will.

 

[kufajoy]

Mostly they will and most of the time therapy doesn't work.