With suicide as one of the leading causes of death throughout the world – and on the rise – more help is needed. New research is finding that EMDR therapy can reduce the risk – by directly addressing the underlying cause of the desire to end one’s life.  Scroll down to find out how you can help and to view the handouts from Simon Proudlock’s research. His U.K. study found that those in an acute mental health crisis who are treated with EMDR therapy experience significant reductions in their perceptions of “being a burden”, their sense of “not belonging” and the feelings of hopelessness, depression, and anxiety; with the result being a reduction in suicidal desires and the risk of suicide. Of course, more research is needed before EMDR therapy will be recognized as a front line treatment in the suicide prevention field.

The EMDR Foundation has established a dedicated research fund for investigation into the impact of EMDR therapy to reduce suicidal urges and thoughts, reduce suicide risk in at risk populations, and provide relief to those impacted by suicide.  Effective help is available but unrecognized – we need research that can demonstrate how EMDR therapy can provide greater relief of suffering.

The EMDR Foundation is grateful to Simon Proudlock for giving us permission to share the findings of his current research which shows that EMDR therapy can be used when clients are in an acute mental health crisis in order to resolve suicidal desires and risk.

More research is needed. If you would like to help, please give to our new fund – monies will be used solely to fund EMDR therapy research in suicide prevention and survivor support. Give now.