BROOKLYN, New York. Divorce is a stressful process for most. It can bring up feelings of anxiety, depression, and deep sadness. However, if you are leaving an abusive marriage, or are using the integrated domestic violence courts in Brooklyn, New York, you might be struggling with additional challenges. If your ex threatens to kill himself or herself when you file for divorce, you might be struggling with what to do.
When a partner threatens suicide if you leave them, you might feel trapped. Some people even consider staying in a relationship thinking that they will be able to keep their partner alive. The guilt can be immense.
According to Cosmopolitan, if your ex threatens suicide when you leave or when you say you want a divorce, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you are safe. While you might think that your ex is only a danger to him or herself, he or she could be feeling intense emotions that can cause him or her to also become violent. Call 911 if your partner threatens suicide. It can be hard to know if a person is serious or not, but the best bet is to assume that your ex is serious. Calling police not only protects you, it also ensures that your ex will get the help he or she needs. Cosmopolitan notes that the one thing you should not do is fail to take your partner seriously. This could provoke them to do something just to prove that they are being serious. You also shouldn’t hesitate to get professional help. Suicidal ideation is not something you should try to handle alone.
What if your partner has threatened suicide in the past and you plan to break up? In this case, it might be safest to break up over the phone. Call your ex’s loved ones or close friends and have them be present when you plan to do it, this way you are safe, and your ex will have the support they need. If the situation escalates, it can also be helpful to know where your ex will be located so that you’ll know where to send emergency personnel if they need crisis intervention services.
Threats of suicide can also be indicative of abuse. Abusive partners will sometimes use threats of suicide to keep their partners close or as a tool of control. If you have a partner who uses threats of suicide to keep you from getting a divorce, it is important to remember that your ex’s decisions are not your decisions. If your ex chooses to harm him or herself, that is a decision that he or she is making. According to Babe, abusers will often use the threat of self-harm when they feel that they’ve lost all other ways to control their partner.
Leaving an abusive situation can be incredibly stressful and traumatic, but there are many forms of support available in Brooklyn, New York. Get support as you navigate this process. The Elliot Green Law Offices are Brooklyn, New York integrated domestic violence lawyers who can help you. You are not alone. Visit us at https://www.elliotgreenlaw.com/ to learn what steps you can take to keep yourself and your children safe.
If you or someone you know is in crisis call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Elliot Green Law Offices
32 Court Street, Suite 404
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-260-8668
Phone: 718-689-0282
