There are numerous studies looking at risk factors related to suicidality. In mental health-related training and educational textbooks, lists are presented on the contributing risks for, and protective factors against, suicide. In this article, I’d like to bring attention to one of those items in particular and share a brief synopsis of a scientific experiment.

About 70 years ago in the mid 1950’s, Dr. Curt Richter conducted a series of experiments on rats. No, this is not related to suicide directly, but read on, you’ll see the connection at the end.

Remember, I’m “making a long story short” here. In the series of experiments, a research team placed wild rats in buckets of water where they had no opportunity to escape. Understandably, the rats gave their swimming best to keep afloat and survive, but after a few minutes the rats looked like they were about to drown due to exhaustion and being unable to continue swimming. The researchers rescued them right before drowning. The rats were held, dried up and helped to recover. The researchers then placed the same rats back into the bucket of water.

Knowing that the rats had just swam to near death by drowning due to exhaustion only a few minutes earlier, the researchers would’ve thought the rats would reach that level of exhaustion and feeling of “I can’t swim anymore, I’m drowning” much sooner than the last time which had only lasted no more than 15 minutes.

But this second time around, these same rats kept on swimming for hours!

Having tried to account for a physiological explanation unsuccessfully, the researchers came away with postulating that the outcome was best explained by the psychological state of the rats rather than their physiological state. Sort of like, “mind over matter.”

What had changed to account for the hours of swimming was the fact that the rats experienced being rescued and cared for the previous time. They had developed an optimistic expectation of a positive outcome, namely, hope–a positive belief in their future that “we just have to keep on swimming to stay afloat until we are rescued again.”

That’s what made the rats not give up and keep on fighting (swimming) for hours. It was hope!

Now you see the answer to the title question of this article “What’s hope got to do with it?” and why having hope versus hopelessness plays a role in suicide prevention.

Putting aside the inhumane nature of how some studies were conducted 70 years ago, it is well understood that the lives of rats are much different from those of human beings.

In a vacuum, one cannot draw a simple line between this experiment and the human experience with its intricate relationships of stressors and complicating factors such as trauma and addiction.

With or without the presence of addiction, frequently there is a loving caretaker who is also fatigued. Hence, the importance of involving professionals, not only for the person who is dealing with depression, suicidality, trauma or addiction, but also for the caretaker of that person.

Having hope, a belief that things will get better and a future-oriented optimism for “better days ahead” are protective factors against suicide, whereas the opposite–hopelessness–is a contributing factor to suicide.

Fleetwood Mac exclaimed “Don’t stop” (thinking about tomorrow) in 1977. Gloria Gaynor added “I will survive” in 1978, and Journey chimed in with “Don’t stop believing” in 1981.

Perhaps famed author F. Dostoevsky said it best a century earlier, “To live without hope is to cease to live.”

Additional suicide prevention resources and support

On September 22, Magellan Healthcare hosted a webinar, “The role of mental health recovery in suicide prevention,” for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I participated on the panel, along with Dr. Pratt, Dr. Williams and Stacey Volz, who shared her inspiring recovery story from mental health challenges and multiple suicide attempts.

Watch a recording of the webinar as we share our knowledge and personal and professional experiences in addressing mental health and substance use challenges to prevent suicide: https://www.magellanhealthcare.com/event/the-role-of-mental-health-recovery-in-suicide-prevention/.

Visit Magellanhealthcare.com/Prevent-Suicide for more information and materials to learn more and spread awareness about suicide prevention.

The new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched on July 16, 2022. With 988, it’s now easier than ever for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress–whether that is thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress–to seek immediate help.

The new 988 dialing code operates through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (the Lifeline) network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the U.S. People can now access a strengthened and expanded Lifeline via 988 or the existing 10-digit number (which will not go away).

In this post, we’ll continue the introduction of the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and provide additional resources for you to learn more and be prepared if you or someone you know experiences a mental health crisis.

What is 988?

Beyond being an easy-to-remember number, 988 provides a direct connection to trained, compassionate and community-based crisis counselors for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress–whether that is thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress.

Who can use 988?

988 services are confidential, free and available 24/7/365 for anyone experiencing a mental health, substance use or suicidal crisis. And 988 isn’t just for you. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

How are 988 services accessed?

The 988-dialing code is available for call (multiple languages) or text (English only), and chat services (English only) can be accessed at 988Lifeline.org. 988 services are available through every landline, cell phone and voice-over-internet device in the U.S.

 How is 988 different from 911?

The focus of 988 is to provide easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from 911, where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police, as needed.

Why was 988 created and where can I get more information?

Congress designated the new 988 dialing code in 2020 to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the lead federal agency, along with Vibrant Emotional Health (operational home of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), in partnership with the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Veterans Affairs, to make 988 a reality in the U.S.

SAMHSA provides comprehensive resources for anyone to learn more about 988, suicide prevention and mental health crisis services at   SAMHSA.gov/988.

Is my state ready for 988?

States are at varying degrees of readiness for the volume increases expected from moving to the 3-digit code, 988. The federal government is responding to resource challenges with unprecedented levels of funding and an all-of-government approach to partner with state and local leaders to improve system capacity and performance.

Find additional information and materials on suicide prevention at MagellanHealthcare.com/Prevent-Suicide, and stay tuned for our September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month campaign and free webinar.

Sign up to receive updates a few times a month from Magellan on free behavioral health resources you can use and share with family, friends and colleagues here.

Sources: SAMHSA and the National Action Alliance for Suicide prevention