Mesa, Arizona’s Preferred Suicidal Ideation Disorder Hospital


A person who has ongoing thoughts of suicide or a preoccupation with their own death is experiencing suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation is a serious mental health concern that should be immediately treated by a professional. If you or someone you love is having thoughts of suicide, please call 911 or reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by texting or dialing 988.  

At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we provide crisis care for adolescents ages 11-17 and adults age 18 and older who are experiencing suicidal ideation. If you need help, please reach out today. Our admissions team is available 24/7 to help those who are suffering access the lifesaving care they need quickly. 

Signs & Symptoms of Suicidal Ideation

It’s not uncommon for people who are having thoughts of suicide to try to hide their emotional distress, which is why it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation if you suspect that someone is struggling. As a loved one, you may play a critical role in knowing when a person needs professional intervention for suicidal ideation. 

Signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation include:  

  • Becoming preoccupied with death  
  • Social isolation or withdrawal from loved ones 
  • Talking about accessing pills or guns  
  • Threatening suicide 
  • Extreme changes in mood 
  • Intense emotional distress 
  • Feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or intense anger or rage 
  • Stating that you feel like a burden to others 
  • Major changes in sleep or eating patterns 
  • Taking part in dangerous activities  
  • Talking to people as though you won’t see them again 
  • Writing a will or making preparations, such as giving away treasured possessions 
  • Significant loss of interest in activities  
  • Substance abuse 

These are just some symptoms of suicidal ideation, not an exhaustive list. If you are concerned that a person you love is struggling with deep emotional pain or thoughts of suicide, offering them support can ultimately save their life.  

Effects of Suicidal Ideation

If left untreated, suicidal ideation can have tragic and devastating consequences not only for the individual who is suffering but for their family, friends, and community as well.  

Potential long-term effects of untreated suicidal ideation include: 

  • Death by suicide 
  • Social isolation 
  • Increased emotional distress 
  • Onset of other behavioral health concerns 
  • Employment issues 
  • Strained relationships with loved ones 
  • Injuries as a result of suicide attempts 
  • Medical complications caused by a lack of self-care 
  • Physical health problems 

Suicidal ideation can wreak havoc on nearly every aspect of a person’s life, profoundly impacting their ability to function on a day-to-day basis. That is why seeking effective treatment early is essential. With the guidance of trained behavioral health clinicians, those in need can address dangerous thoughts and chart a path forward. 

Suicidal Ideation Statistics

Suicidal ideation is a sensitive subject, and individuals who are suffering may not feel comfortable speaking up about their struggles. For this reason, data on suicidal ideation may not accurately reflect the number of people who are truly affected by suicidal thoughts and behaviors. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following statistics about suicidal ideation in the U.S.: 

  • From 2000-2021, suicide rates increased by roughly 36%. 
  • In 2021, suicide was the cause of 48,183 deaths, which equates to about one death every 11 minutes. 
  • Suicide was one of the top nine leading causes of death in 2021 for people ages 10-64. 
  • In 2021, nearly 12 million adults had suicidal thoughts, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicide. 
  • Ethnic groups that have the highest suicide rates are non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people and non-Hispanic white people. 
  • Young people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual have a higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behavior compared with those who are heterosexual. 

Common Causes of & Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation

Many factors can contribute to suicidal ideation. People who are having thoughts of suicide may develop them as a result of significant life stressors, past trauma, substance abuse, or social isolation. Certain life-altering events or situations may cause a person to feel helpless or unable to cope with stress effectively, which can lead to intense emotional suffering.  

Other suicidal ideation risk factors include: 

  • Discrimination 
  • Enduring bullying or extreme violence, such as abuse or sexual assault  
  • Chronic physical health concerns 
  • Mental health disorders, like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder 
  • Death of a loved one 
  • A history of self-harm or attempting suicide  
  • Family history of suicide 

Having a strong social support system and access to compassionate care can help people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and behaviors reduce their risk for long-term consequences. At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we offer a supportive therapeutic environment where our patients can develop healthier thought patterns and establish meaningful connections that promote social wellness.  

The Benefits of Suicidal Ideation Treatment

If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, you may feel powerless or that you have no one to turn to for support, but there is help available. At our suicidal ideation treatment place, you can discover that your life is not defined by your emotional suffering and that there is a bright, hopeful future ahead of you. 

You’ll have the opportunity to work with an empathetic treatment team and connect with peers who understand what you’re going through. Our supportive community can help you realize that you are not alone as you navigate the path to healing. Our staff will guide you through every step of the treatment process, exercising expertise and compassion as they help you set short- and long-term wellness goals.  

By participating in our suicidal ideation treatment program, you can experience many benefits, including:  

  • Improved coping skills 
  • Enhanced emotion regulation strategies 
  • A strong network of support 
  • An improved sense of hope, purpose, and overall well-being 

Therapies & Services We Offer at Our Suicidal Ideation Treatment Center

At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we provide crisis care for suicidal ideation. Inpatient treatment is designed to be a short-term program for those who are an immediate danger to themselves or others. At our inpatient suicidal ideation treatment center, we offer round-the-clock care to help those who are in crisis stabilize so that they can progress to the next phase of their healing journey. 

Each person who turns to us for support participates in a detailed assessment when they arrive at our suicidal ideation treatment center in Mesa, Arizona. During this evaluation, we review their medical history, their treatment history, and the severity of suicidal ideation symptoms to create a comprehensive plan that addresses their needs.  

Individualized suicidal ideation treatment at our facility may incorporate: 

  • Basic medical care 
  • Medication management services 
  • On-site medical detox services 
  • Group therapy sessions 
  • Evidence-based interventions, such as dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and 12-Step programming 

After inpatient treatment, patients receive thorough aftercare plans that can help them continue achieving milestones. Discharge plans may include referrals to follow-up therapy, a lower level of care, and local support groups, as well as other resources. We customize each patient’s aftercare plan to ensure that it aligns with the progress they’ve made during treatment and includes the information they need to be successful well beyond their time in our inpatient program. 

Why Choose Our Mesa, Arizona, Suicidal Ideation Treatment Center

If you are having thoughts of suicide, finding a treatment place that can address your unique needs is imperative. Individualized care is essential to the treatment process because the underlying causes of suicidal ideation can vary. At Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital, we will work closely with you to identify your strengths and needs and tailor your care accordingly.  

Our personalized approach ensures that your treatment plan incorporates the therapies and services that can offer you the greatest benefit on your healing journey. We will continually monitor your progress during treatment and adjust your care plan as needed.  

Additional features of care at our suicidal ideation treatment center include: 

  • A seamless admissions process 
  • A warm, inviting, and judgment-free therapeutic environment  
  • Continuous supervision from an attentive team of trained medical and behavioral health professionals 
  • A secure setting that utilizes the most advanced safety technology 
  • Detailed and customized aftercare plans to support the long-term success of our patients 

If you can benefit from crisis care at our inpatient psychiatric hospital, please contact our team directly. As a leading provider of suicidal ideation treatment in the greater Phoenix area, we can help connect you with the treatment and resources you need to reclaim a joyful, fulfilling life. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you begin the intake process. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Agave Ridge Behavioral Hospital.