Pressing pause

In their book, Depression - an Emotion not a Disease, Dr Michael Corry and Dr Aine Tubridy present a novel approach to potential suicides in the form of an invitation to re-examine their stance.

First describing in depth the psychological viewpoint of the potential suicide, they then encourage him/her to "press pause" and find an non-intellectual solution to the predicament which bypasses the mind.

This approach involves getting out of bed in the morning, splashing your face with cold water and getting out of the house as quickly as possible to exercise. "Get ahead of your mind, don't give it time to warm up," they write.

The next step is to shower and do breathwork, chanting and repeated verbalisations. Aside from these first-thing-in-the-morning activities, the Black Swan approach encourages participants to find ways "to discharge the destructive energy inside".

Suggestions include getting sessions of an appropriate complementary therapy, calling the Samaritans and/or taking time out in a retreat or healing centre.

See also www.depressiondialogues.ie