September is National Suicide Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, foster open conversations about mental health, and remind those struggling that they are not alone. At Oasis Behavioral Health Center, we stand with our community in breaking the silence around suicide and offering real, effective treatment options for individuals facing depression and suicidal thoughts.
The Weight of Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts often stem from intense feelings of hopelessness and despair. For many individuals, these thoughts are connected to treatment-resistant depression—a condition where traditional antidepressant medications and therapies don’t provide enough relief. This can leave people feeling stuck, believing there are no options left.
But there are options. Advances in psychiatry have given us new, evidence-based treatments that offer hope even when other methods have not worked.
TMS Therapy: Rewiring the Brain Toward Hope
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.
- FDA-approved for depression, TMS has shown significant benefits for patients who have not responded to medication.
- Many patients report improvements in mood, energy, and overall outlook on life
- Importantly, research indicates TMS can reduce suicidal thinking, helping patients reclaim a sense of hope and stability.
Unlike medications, TMS does not involve systemic side effects like weight gain, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction, making it a well-tolerated option for many.
Spravato Therapy: A Breakthrough for Suicidal Depression
For patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with suicidal thoughts or behaviors, Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray offers another promising treatment path.
- Rapid relief: Unlike traditional antidepressants that can take weeks, Spravato often provides noticeable symptom relief within hours to days.
- FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression and suicidal depression.
- Administered under medical supervision in a safe and supportive environment.
At Oasis, patients receiving Spravato therapy are closely monitored by our clinical team, ensuring comfort and safety during treatment. Many describe the experience as life-changing—helping lift the heavy fog of depression and restoring the ability to see hope and possibility again.
Oasis Behavioral Health Center: A Place of Healing
At Oasis, we understand the courage it takes to reach out for help. Our compassionate team is here to walk alongside you, offering evidence-based treatments like TMS Therapy and Spravato that are proven to make a difference.
This Suicide Prevention Month, we want to remind you: you are not alone, and hope is within reach.
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please know that support and treatment are available.
- Contact Oasis Behavioral Health Center at 617-401-7700 or www.obhi.org to learn more about TMS and Spravato therapy.
- If you are in immediate crisis, dial 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
Together, we can bring light to the darkness of depression and help individuals find their way back to hope and healing.
Works Cited
Meta-analysis showing significant reduction in suicidal ideation following TMS (SMD = –0.415)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8803905/
Evidence of suicidality reduction via TMS protocol studies, including independent reductions in suicidal thoughts
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8295183/
2025 study on TMS improving suicidal symptoms through network connectivity changes
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1486835/full
FDA approval of Spravato as standalone therapy, with rapid symptom improvement (as early as 24 hours)
https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/spravato-esketamine-approved-in-the-u-s-as-the-first-and-only-monotherapy-for-adults-with-treatment-resistant-depression
FDA indication for Spravato in MDD with acute suicidal ideation or behavior
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211243s016lbl.pdf
Clinical insight on rapid reduction of depressive symptoms and limitations in demonstrating direct suicide prevention
https://memorhealth.com/blog/spravato-for-suicidal-ideation/
