This article explores how suffering and lack of choice play a role in suicide among individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions. People who experience profound suffering from both disorders often seek support from recovery groups, family and friends, faith communities and healthcare professionals. To help those who have attempted or experienced suicide-related thoughts and behaviors, the hope is that this reflection opens the doors for deeper conversation and can offer additional avenues of support.

Purpose: Acupuncture as a sole treatment was tested for patients with depressive symptoms when seeking treatment in an interprofessional project. This study aims to test the relative effects of depression-specific acupuncture treatment (DSAT) versus nondepression-specific acupuncture treatment (Non-DSAT) on depression scores of patients seeking acupuncture care. Method: In this chart-review quasi-experimental study, former patient charts were randomly selected from a 3-year record at two college-operated acupuncture clinics in Houston. Among them, 62 charts contained depression data measured by the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). Results: Data show that 39 patients received DSAT and 23 patients received Non-DSAT, but none of them indicated depression as a reason for treatment. After treatment, although the prevalence rate was lower, the average depression score was higher in both groups. Further analysis with the mixed between-within-subjects analysis of variance showed insignificant group interactive effects on the depression score change. Discussion: Depression outcomes between the two groups were not conclusive. Acupuncture as a depression treatment method should be further tested with a longitudinal research design focusing on patients with depressive symptoms. The role of social workers is essential so that depression screening can be accurately conducted.

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