Refresher: Contrasting tunnel vision with a vision of options

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a teacher, a community leader, or a friend, using mini-interventions when you discover that someone is experiencing suicidal distress can help create a sense of connection, safety, and hope for things to get better.

Research shows that individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts often develop a form of cognitive constriction or "tunnel vision" that severely limits their ability to see alternatives.

This narrowing of perspective makes suicide seem like the only possible solution to end their pain (O’Connor and Kirtly, 2018).

Contrasting this tunnel vision with a vision of options can help disrupt this perspective. You could try saying:

“Sometimes, when people are so distressed, they see dying as the only way out of the pain they're in. Even though it's hard for you to see right now, there are options. I’ve seen many people over the years find many ways out of that dark place.”  

By contrasting tunnel vision with a vision of options, we acknowledge that this narrowed perspective is temporary rather than a permanent reality. This approach:

• Addresses the feeling of entrapment that often precedes suicidal thoughts
• Challenges distorted thinking that presents suicide as the only solution
• Creates hope by introducing alternative pathways to relief.