Resources  email page print page Basic Information The Nature of Suicide The Nature of SuicideDefining SuicideSuicide: A Reactive ActionSuicide StatisticsOther Factors Contributing To Suicide RiskSuicide TriggersSuicide Triggers ContinuedTying it All Together: Why Does Someone Become Suicidal?Becoming Suicidal: Biological ContributionsBecoming Suicidal: Sociocultural ContributionsSuicide Prevention and Societal MeasuresWebsites Coping with Suicidality Coping with SuicidalityHow did you get to this suicidal place?Why does suicide seem like a solution to your problem(s)?How do you know your level of suicide risk?Suicide Warning SignsSuicide: What do you do now?Suicide: What will happen to you when you ask for help?Outpatient Suicide Treatment-Finding A PsychotherapistThe Initial Suicide Treatment InterviewJeremy's StoryFollow-up Suicide Therapy VisitsSuicide: Other things you can do to help keep yourself safeSuicide and Self Harm Resources Helping A Friend or Family Member who is Suicidal Helping A Friend or Family Member who is SuicidalUnderstanding Suicidal CrisesWhy Do People Become Suicidal and What Can I do to Help?How can I judge the level of suicide risk?What are other suicide warning signs?What happens when a suicidal person asks for help?How do we find a therapist for suicide outpatient treatment?What else can I do to help a suicidal family member or friend?How do I handle my own reactions following a suicide or a suicide attempt? More Information In Harms Way: Suicide in AmericaPost Combat Suicide Rate RisingSuicide IntroductionSuicide Warning SignsSuicide WebsitesWise Counsel Interview Transcript: An Interview with Thomas Joiner, Ph.D. on Why People Commit Suicide Latest News New National Suicide Statistics at a Glance Early Psychiatric Issues May Predict Suicide in BoysPost-Traumatic Stress Tied to Increased Suicide Risk in Young Adults Questions and Answers In A Bad SituationWhen Psychotherapy Does Not HelpDepression TreatmentTherapist rights to contact EmployerDoes a therapist have to report me as suicidal if I tell her I self injure? OCD Will I Ever? Self-Injury / Self-Harm: How do I stop cutting myself?Psych major wants to get her life back after being raped and attempting suicideA Friend in Need Blog Entries Post Combat Suicide Rate RisingAn Interview with Barent Walsh, Ph.D. on the Nature and Treatment of Self-InjuryAn Interview with Thomas Joiner, Ph.D. on Why People Commit SuicideSuicide, Self Injury and Hospitalization: Can your therapist have you hospitalized?Suicide: Does a Person Have the Right to Take His Own Life?Suspended From College For Expressing Suicidal Ideation (a reaction to an NPR radio story)Suicide Among White Middle Class Increases"Guns and Suicide" article and Comments: What about the anger?Army suicide rate is climbing rapidlyWorld Suicide Prevention Day... September 10, 2008A Suicide Barrier for the Golden Gate BridgeBullying and Suicidal Ideation Linked Among ChildrenThe Tragic Suicide of 1st Sgt. Jeff McKinneyFDA now requires suicide assessment of new drugs prior to approvalMore Ho Ho Ho Than Sorrow?Suicide on the Rise Among Middle-Aged AmericansRevised Suicide contentAging, Depression and SuicideWomen Who Receive Breast Implants More Likely to Commit SuicideWhat to Do In a Mental Health EmergencyGuns and SuicideTeenagers and Suicide: What to Look forEating Disorders, Self Mutilation and Unexpressed Emotions: A Deadly Relationship Videos Teen Suicide: Too Young To DiePreparing for CrisisWhy Suicide Rates Are Higher than Homocide Rates Links [4] Associations[3] Community[2] Government[37] Information[1] CEUs[2] Training[3] Research[3] Self-Help[3] Videos[1] Personal Experiences Book Reviews AliveAutopsy of a Suicidal MindBloodlettingBoy InterruptedComprehending SuicideCrossesDuplicityEight Stories UpFatal AttachmentsHeavier than HeavenHer HusbandHistory of SuicideHow I Stayed Alive When My Brain Was Trying to Kill MeLeaving YouLife InterruptedLike the Red PandaMaking Sense of SuicideNight Falls FastNo Right TurnOne in ThirteenSilent GriefSuicideSylviaSylvia PlathSylvia Plath ReadsThe Clinical Science of Suicide PreventionThirteen Reasons WhyUnholy Ghost

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I'm a 27-year-old woman who has struggled with self-injury (cutting, burning) since early childhood, when I experienced physical, mental and sexual abuse. I desperately want to seek help for myself, but I have some concerns. If I speak to a therapist about my self-harming, will s/he be obligated to report my self-injury in the same way as s/he would be obligated to report issues related to suicide? I have attempted suicide in the past (5-6 years ago) and while I'm depressed and struggle with anxiety, I have no plans to attempt suicide. I'm just concerned that all of these factors together will result in any therapist I work with wanting to hospitalize me. If that's the help I need then I'm guardedly open to it, but obviously I'd rather not go that route if it's not necessary. What are a therapist's obligation regarding reporting a clients' problems with self-injury? I know you can't answer every question.. but please, I'm pretty much begging you to answer this one. I'm afraid and I don't know what to do. Thank you.

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