This first episode of ReadTheSignsRadio was created on the spur of the moment on Sept 10, 2018 in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day. It begins in the middle of what originally was a private conversation that we decided to record after we’d already begun.
Adasa Ono of bAs Mythology and I discuss suicide prevention, the failing state of mental health services, the failing state of homeless and transient services, the failing state of suicide hotlines, how to help a loved one in a way that actually helps, and how to help yourself if you are struggling and can’t find help.
https://basmythology.wordpress.com – You can download Bipolar Homeless Architect for free here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwrQXI4_mgo – Dar Williams, What Do You Hear In These Sounds, the song referenced at the end of the conversation.
Sorry for the audio issues. You may have to adjust the audio a little bit in the beginning, but about 3 minutes later it equalizes out due to me holding the phone in the right place.
Unfortunately, the audio is no longer available, but the topic guide is below.
0:00
-“Why don’t you talk to someone or call the hotline?” as deflection
-how admitting ideation can result in involuntary commission, a potential cause of despair and stress
-the phrase, “can you commit to safety?”
-“putting on a good face:” inpatients quickly learn how to lie to manipulate the system that is not giving them what they need
7:00
-involuntary commission permanently institutionalizes the patient
-the institutionalization process as more stressful than the original problem
-suicide hotlines keep people on hold
-suicide hotline people not really being very helpful
-the difficulty of getting the opportunity and courage to even call the hotline
9:15
-“I know how you feel”
11:00
-low statistical of suicide hotlines
12:15 – 12:50
Adasa has to talk to someone offstage, fast forward if you must
13:00
-Many people are stuck in their circumstances and have very few options
14:00
-obstacles to calling when you don’t have a phone
-people don’t want to get involved in other people’s life or problems
15:30
-catch 22: when you don’t have an address, you can’t get a phone – even an obamaphone
16:45
Falling through the Cracks
-“It appears on paper that all of these services there for people…but the people who need it the most, their access to even the hotline is blocked.”
18:00
-15 people ignored bAs asking in a public street to call 911 during a manic episode
-in the ER, he was told his appointment was in 3 weeks. Refused to admit him, even though he knew he had to be admitted.
20:30
-the paradox of only being able to receive treatment if admitting suicidal ideation, which results in involuntary commission…and yet, sometimes, claiming suicideality can result in losing therapy through insurance…also, people being turned away from the ER when admittedly actively suicidal
22:15
-“you’re just asking for attention” – well, of course someone asks for attention if they need help!!!
24:00
-45 minute therapy intake appointment may leave a person in great distress, or at least not accomplish anything
29:20
-“what if I spent as much time meditating as I did chasing help all over town?”
30:15
-importance of believing in ability to heal oneself, but a person in a low place is incapable of that inherently
-need for psychospiritual first responders
32:30
-the “risk” of calling the hotline: will I actually receive the help I need? What if I don’t? Not wanting to risk even more disappointment or failure
33:30
-the mantra “remember something deeply personal about yourself to maintain your integrity”
36:10
-the importance of deep breathing, and an easy mental technique “oxygen monitor”
38:15
-Neuroplasticity can feel uncomfortable
-measuring visual clarity as a way to tell if oxygen levels are healthy
40:00
-presence in the moment
-silence and self-awareness as a contrast to “talk therapy”
-how “talk therapy” can put a patient under a lot of pressure
41:45
-panic attacks, bad trips, and autistic outbursts can be relieved by physical touch of the feet and hands, by self or other, and breathing techniques
45:00
-DSM5 talks about Depersonalization resulting from these neuroplastic processes
46:30
-we may want to reject neuroplasticity because of the new feelings: “the body’s response to uncertainty” & fight, flight, or freeze response
49:30
-“squiggle” as the shortest path between two points of the brain
-visceral body effects indicate being “very close” to a positive development
52:30
-delayed panic attacks, difficult for others to understand
54:00
-“why are you crying?” A pointless question that misses the point, and puts the sufferer under pressure
-prelingual memories
55:45
-various examples of visceral body experiences
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