In one hospital study, suicidal thoughts were lower after EMDR

Interested to learn more about EMDR? Here's some recent research about it.

The paper is Using EMDR therapy with patients in an acute mental health crisis, from BMC Psychiatry, 2020.

It was done inside a mental health hospital. Adults on an inpatient ward, or getting care from a crisis home treatment team, were offered EMDR if they'd been through at least one event they considered traumatic. 72 people were offered it and 57 finished.

Scores improved on every measure the team used, and suicidal thoughts went down. Most people needed fewer than 10 sessions, and most didn't need to be sent on for more therapy. The authors also report savings for the National Health Service, and less contact with services after treatment.

The authors call it exploratory. It wasn't randomized, and people were measured before and after treatment. Their conclusion is that EMDR can be an effective treatment for people in a mental health crisis who have trauma in their background.

If you're thinking about suicide, or you're in danger right now, call or text 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.