Suicidal ideation (SI) is not simply an indicator of pathology. It is a coping strategy. It’s a way to manage unbearable emotional pain, find a sense of control, escape, or imagine relief when life feels impossible. For some people, SI is not a temporary crisis but a lifelong presence: a nagging thought that surfaces in times of stress, a familiar old coping strategy that has helped them survive.

The purpose of this article is to encourage clinicians to sit with suicidal ideation rather than rushing to fix it. 

Self-hatred can feel overwhelming, but there is a way out. This post explores where self-hate comes from and shares practical tools like self-compassion exercises and skills to help you break the cycle and begin building a kinder relationship with yourself.

To sit with your feelings means to allow yourself to fully experience an emotion without immediately reacting to it, avoiding it, or judging it. Instead of numbing out, distracting, or pushing through, you pause. You notice what’s happening inside you, bring curiosity to the experience, and respond with self-compassion.

Discover what chronic suicidality is, how it impacts individuals, and the ways therapy, including DBT, can provide hope and healing.