New York Times Highlights Ketamine in the Treatment of Suicide

E.R. doctors are often quite familiar with ketamine; Dr. Stewart uses it as an anesthetic regularly on children precisely because it’s considered so safe. Now that research has revealed its potential to treat depression and stop suicidal impulses, he thinks that doctors should offer it to suicidal patients in the E.R. “We could help so many people,” he said.

The New York Times recently ran an op-ed piece by Moises Velasquez-Manoff titled, “Can We Stop Suicides”, highlighting Ketamine as a breakthrough treatment option for treating suicidality and depression.

This publication covers the story of a woman named Louise who struggled with depression and suicidality for years. If it were not for her psychiatrist suggesting Ketamine as a treatment option for suicidality and depression, Louise may not have found such rapid relief.

The clinical team here at KWC did have one objection to this otherwise illuminating story. At one point, a Yale psychiatrist makes the claim that some sufferers go straight for Ketamien while skipping over more conventional therapies like Electro-convulsive Therapy (ECT). From our experience, the harmful side effects from ECT therapy than be extreme whereas Ketamine has a benign profile of side effects.

At Ketamine Wellness Centers, we treat a number of patients for Suicidality and Depression using low dose Ketamine infusions in a safe, professional, and compassionate setting. Whether you are located in Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, Minneapolis or Seattle, our expert clinical team is here to help.

Contact Ketamine Wellness Centers at 855-KET-WELL (855-538-9355) if you or someone you know is struggling with an ongoing mental health, anxiety or a chronic pain condition.

Also, in case you missed it, check out another related story, “No More Suicides“, written by our very own Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Ellen Diamond.