01/29/2022
Yesterday I stopped my Reiki session less than 3 minutes in because I felt the overwhelming intuitive push to talk to my client about the topic of su***de.
What. A. Risk.
Would YOU have taken that leap without apparent and upfront knowledge?
What should have been a 45 min appointment ended up being close to 2 hours of Reiki and talk "sesh." They left with a help plan, phone numbers, and the confidence they needed to obtain assistance IF and when they ever needed to get it.
Furthermore, their takeaway was NO longer "whew - I was afraid to say something because I didn't want to be carted off for just telling someone I had these thoughts without ever having the intent to act."
Now more than ever, we need to make Complimentary Alternative Medicine practices a part of the Mental Health & Hygiene world where patients and clients can attend to their anxious minds.
Pushing for SafeTalk training and other crisis intervention training would be an intelligent choice in helping to round out our practices and scopes as professionals. We NEED fundamental tools that will not only legally protect us but that are evidence-based, ethical, and compassionate.
I run a small business called Sacred Space Sanctuary in Ramsey, NJ. It's a Reiki and Nutrition Business that also operates on Intuitive Guidance. My background in EMS and debriefing are excellent, but with all of this combined, I'm still left to handle a significant amount of su***de cases.
90% of the individuals who come to me are female and have suffered significant loss or trauma in their life. 100% of those who come to me feel disconnected from life. 30% of them have felt or are FEELING suicidal.
I only take adults; it's interesting to see the who/what/when/where/and why of things. I do my screenings and provide services and phone numbers accordingly.
I am GREAT in debriefing, active listening, and helping a person create an action plan. I SPECIFICALLY connect persons with resources in their area for when they need them.
I also work on de-stigmatizing what "mental health" looks like and am reframing it to what I call "mental hygiene." Helping clients to understand:
1) the difference between hard lines versus soft lines
2) when to call for help
3) why it is ALWAYS okay to call for help
4) that they never were and never are a burden
5) that they don't need to be IN crisis or wait for one to get assistance
6) when to call 9-1-1
7) what to expect when talking to a dispatcher
8 ) the care and compassion of EMTS (I was one)
9) local care facilities in the region
10) inpatient versus outpatient care
11) ideations versus intention
12) the importance of receiving MEDICAL, LICENSED therapy regularly
13) the idea that sometimes, it's biochemical and there is no shame
14) who to call when they need assistance
