Men are more likely to contemplate and actually commit suicide because of divorce proceedings, according to the "Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health." As a woman involved in a divorce case, you face unique challenges when you know your husband to be depressed and even contemplating suicide. You need special strategies to employ not only to protect your own rights in a divorce case but to address the issue of a suicidal husband as well.
Step 1
Avoid head-on confrontations with your husband. Disagreements during divorces is a part of the marriage dissolution process. Knowing your husband to be in a fragile state, steer clear of arguments with your husband.
Step 2
Outline your bottom-line objectives and goals for your divorce. By doing so, you better position yourself to avoid petty disagreements over issues that are not important to you. Limiting the issues in dispute can assist in reducing the stress on you and a suicidal husband.
Step 3
Seek professional advice for yourself. Talk to a therapist or counselor about dealing with ending your marriage when your husband is suicidal.
Step 4
Join a divorce support group for women. You will find that you are not alone in facing a divorce while your husband is suicidal.
Step 5
Encourage--but do not demand--your husband to obtain counseling.
Step 6
Hire a lawyer. If you are not on the front line, facing your spouse in an attempt to resolve legal issues, the overall situation may remain more stable. In addition, divorce is complicated enough without the added burden of knowing your husband is thinking of ending his life because of the marriage dissolution proceedings. An attorney assists in making thoughtful decisions during an emotionally challenging experience.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep in mind that you are not responsible for your husband's emotional state. Although you do not want to worsen it unnecessarily, do not blame yourself for his condition.
- You may face a situation in which your depressed husband contacts you during the course of divorce proceedings and makes a clear threat to take his own life. Suicide.org suggests that you maintain emergency resources at your disposal. Call 911 to alert authorities of the threat. The national suicide hotline can be reached by calling 800-SUICIDE or 800-784-2433.
References
- Suicide.org: Divorce and Suicide
- "Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health": Marital Status and Suicide in the National Longitudinal Mortality Study
- "The Complete Divorce Handbook: A Practical Guide"; Brette McWhorter Sember; 2009
