Suicidal Ideations Treatment Center for Children & Adolescents in Missouri

Lakeland Behavioral Health System helps individuals struggling with suicidal ideation build a strong foundation for long-term recovery. Serving Springfield, Missouri, Lakeland is the leading provider of psychiatric treatment for children, adolescents and older adults.

Learn More About Treatment

Learn More About Treatment for Suicidal Ideation at Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Missouri

Suicidal ideations are thoughts about or an unusual preoccupation with the act of killing oneself that can range from fleeting thoughts to detailed plans. While the majority of individuals with suicidal thoughts do not carry through with them, there is a chance that suicidal attempts may be made. Sometimes suicidal thoughts are specifically designed to fail or be discovered, while others are carefully planned to succeed. Suicide is the act of purposely ending one’s own life. If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide please seek help immediately.

At Lakeland’s behavioral health clinic in Missouri, we understand that right now you are experiencing circumstances in your life that are unmanageable and have left you feeling helpless. You may believe that you will never see an end to the emotional suffering you are going through. We want you to know that you do not have to go through these troubling times alone. The staff at Lakeland can be reached 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is ready to help you get back on your feet.

Why Consider Treatment

Why Consider Treatment for Suicidal Ideation at Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Missouri

We know that facing the decision to enroll your loved one in an inpatient program can be a scary and stressful time. However, when an individual is showing behaviors that are at high risk for self-harm or the harm of others, immediate intervention is necessary. For an individual who has active suicidal thoughts, an inpatient program may be the safest place for them to get the treatment they need. Suicide is no joking matter, and an indication that an individual is thinking of ending their life should be treated as a medical emergency.

While not everyone who is having suicidal thoughts actually wants to die, there is still a chance that an individual may make an attempt. Most of the time these individuals simply want their physical or emotional pain to end. After a prolonged period of time where they have been unable to end their distress they begin to believe that suicide is the only way out. At Lakeland, we want you to know that there is hope. You can end the pain you are experiencing and go on to live a life filled with a bright future.

Our acute care center is designed to provide a variety of different treatments so that our patients can get better and leave inpatient treatment with the tools needed to help further themselves. At Lakeland, we do so much more than stabilization— we jumpstart the treatment process. We provide our patients with personalized treatment plans that will effectively help them overcome their suicidal thoughts. Our multidisciplinary approach includes a variety of different therapeutic techniques that will help educate patients and their family on their specific condition and learn more effective coping skills.

Our Philosophy

Lakeland Behavioral Health System’s Philosophy and Benefits

At Lakeland Behavioral Health, we provide the highest quality of treatment to help those who are struggling with emotional and behavioral disorders through our residential and acute hospital programs. Every day we are determined to provide the best possible care to all of our patients, including their family members. We are devoted to being an outstanding provider of quality, safe, and cost-effective psychiatric services that meet the needs of children, adolescents, young adults, seniors, and their families in the communities we serve. Our many years of experience helping thousands of patients overcome trouble times and get back to a state of emotional well-being is what makes us the perfect place for you to heal. Our compassionate staff is completely dedicated to helping individuals change their lives so that they are better equipped to once again function in their home environments.

Types of Treatment

Types of Suicidal Ideation Treatment Offered at Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Missouri

When you first arrive at Lakeland’s behavioral health clinic you will undergo a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation. Both of these evaluations will be used to determine which level of care would be most appropriate for your current needs. Our treatment team is made up of psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, clinical dietitians, and a recreational therapist, all 0f whom are professionally trained to provide you with the best care available. Upon intake patients are matched up with a therapist who will work best for their presenting needs, based upon therapist specialty. Your therapist, along with other members of the treatment team, will work with you to create and implement an individualized treatment plan. Some of the techniques we use at Lakeland include the following:

Medication Management: It is not uncommon for individuals to need medication in the beginning stages of treatment, in order to help control presenting symptoms so they can fully engage in the therapeutic process. Usually when new life skills are learned, medication use is able to be decreased or even eliminated. Sometimes medications are used to treat the symptoms of a co-occurring disorder and may need to be used for a longer term. All medication use will be monitored and altered if necessary.

Individual Therapy: This type of therapy is used when a patient needs more one-on-one time with a therapist in order to determine some of the causes for their distress that may have led to the development of their suicidal thoughts. We understand that it may be hard for some individuals to open up in group sessions, so we give them the necessary time needed to process their emotions.

Group Therapy: We offer different types of groups at Lakeland to promote connecting and supporting other individuals going through similar issues. Group time is spent educating patients about their condition and other topics such as medication and co-occurring disorders. Additionally, group sessions are used to teach coping skills, life skills training, and anger management.

Family Therapy: Family participation is a necessary part of the healing process and it is imperative that the parents of our children and adolescent patients be fully engaged throughout the entire process. Family members will receive education about what suicidal ideation is, tips for medication management, and specific coping strategies that can be used to help their child. In addition to therapy, family members are allowed to visit their loved one for up to an hour each day.

We also have additional non-traditional approaches to help improve your quality of life. Depending on your treatment plan you may be involved in some of the following activities:

  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Pet therapy
  • Play therapy
  • School programming
  • Therapeutic exercise

Continuing Care

Continuing Care and Levels of Treatment for Suicidal Ideation

While you are only with us at Lakeland’s behavioral health clinic in Missouri for a short while, our discharge planning will ensure that you get the continuity of care needed to be successful in your recovery process.

Our extensive discharge planning services will not only assess the most appropriate next step for your treatment, but will also link you and your family to essential community resources. If additional treatment is needed, we will help you to determine the most appropriate program for your current level of care. For some this may be a residential program or a less intense Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). If it has been determined that you are ready to return home, we will work with you and your family members to make sure that medication is under control and that better coping skills are put into place.


Marks of Quality Care
  • Arkansas Juvenile Officers Association
  • Better Business Bureau (BBB)
  • Missouri Hospital Association
  • Missouri Juvenile Justice Association
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • The Joint Commission (JCAHO) Gold Seal of Approval
  • Tricare

At one point in my life, there were voices in my head telling me that I was worthless, and that I should end it all. During this stage, I felt alone and scared constantly. I sought out help at Lakeland Behavioral Health, which is the best decision I've ever made. Each day is a hard, but the therapy at Lakeland has given me have a more positive outlook on life. Instead of dreading each day, I look forward to it.

– Sam S.

In response to the growing need for mental health services, we are expanding our older adult programming to include ages 40+