Jason Recovers from Threats of Suicide and Advises Others to Seek Help
Their Outcome
Accepted Help & Found Relief
Learned Coping Mechanisms
Mental Health Advocate
Their Strengths
Opening Up: Discussing the Problem
Self Awareness & Communication
Commitment to Healing
Their Challenges
Suicidal Ideation
Threats of Self-Harm
Their Story
Finding their son in a life-or-death crisis was a shock to Jason’s parents, Amy and Jonathan. Just 16, Jason seemed fine, even happy, during the vacation they had just returned from the day before. So imagine their distress when they received a call that he was threatening suicide.
Starting Point’s Mobile Response Team was called out by police responding to the emergency. Jason was threatening to harm himself and Katrina Robinson-Wheeler, the mental health professional on duty, arrived to assess the situation. The parents, Katrina, and Jason all met at the police station and that was the beginning of a transition in Jason’s life.
“I remember she [Katrina] was pretty open, she made me feel like I could be open. It was one of the first times I ever felt comfortable sharing how I was feeling. I was able to open up, and I feel like it definitely got me the help I needed. I had never been able to open up with anybody with those kinds of issues before.”
Jason was hospitalized for several days, then returned home to begin a therapy program. His Starting Point counselor, Katie Worley, met with him weekly at first, and now monthly.
Jason says the biggest change he recognized is that he has become more aware of his feelings and how they affect him. He has learned he can take action to cope with those feelings, instead of reacting. Jonathan, Jason’s dad, says the family has learned a great deal about communicating with one another.
“We have a ways to go, but when it comes to Jason, it is about making sure he’s safe and he’s making good decisions, growing and learning about the feelings he is having and how to understand those feelings. He needs to know that he can talk to someone and I am really thankful for Starting Point and Katie. I think she has related well to Jason”
Jason said his advice to friends in a similar situation is simple: open up to others.
“Even if it’s hard, even if you don’t want to. Everything gets so much better when you are accepting help. Don’t just stay in your own head, you really do need to get help.”