If you are thinking about ending your life or are not safe right now, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. WIP is an outpatient practice and does not provide emergency care.
When depression comes with thoughts of suicide, waiting four to eight weeks for an antidepressant to work can feel impossible. WIP offers outpatient treatments that can act in hours to days: Spravato, IV ketamine, and accelerated TMS.
Psychiatrists at WIP-DC and WIP-Rockville combine fast-acting treatment with careful safety planning and close follow-up. We serve adults across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Outpatient treatment at WIP can be a good fit for adults with depression and suicidal thoughts who are safe enough to be treated outside a hospital. That usually means:
If you are at immediate risk, the right first step is the emergency room or 988. Once you are safe, we can help with what comes next. Clinicians referring a patient after a hospital or ER stay can use our hospital and ER step-down referral page.
FDA-approved, together with an oral antidepressant, for depressive symptoms in adults with major depression who have acute suicidal thoughts or behavior. Taken in our office, with about two hours of monitoring after each dose. Available at WIP-DC and WIP-Rockville.
In a meta-analysis in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a single infusion reduced suicidal thoughts within hours, with effects lasting up to about a week. Usually given as a series over 2–3 weeks. Off-label.
7–8 TMS sessions a day for 5 days, compared with about 6 weeks for standard TMS. A non-medication option when speed matters. TMS is FDA-cleared for depression.
Your psychiatrist adjusts medication and sees you often in the early weeks, in person or by telehealth.
Spravato’s label notes that it has not been shown to prevent suicide or to reduce suicidal thoughts or behavior, and that it does not replace hospitalization when clinically needed. Ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic; its use for depression and suicidal thoughts is off-label. TMS is not specifically cleared for suicidal thoughts. Your psychiatrist will review the evidence, risks, and alternatives with you.
Fast-acting treatment works best inside a careful plan. At WIP, that includes:
Coming from a hospital, ER, or intensive outpatient program? Bring your discharge paperwork or have records faxed to 202-464-5570.
WIP-DC: 4325 49th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20016
WIP-Rockville: 1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 110, Rockville, MD 20852
Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. WIP is an outpatient practice and is not an emergency service.
Spravato is FDA-approved, together with an oral antidepressant, to treat depressive symptoms in adults with major depression who have acute suicidal thoughts or behavior. Its label notes that it has not been shown to prevent suicide or to reduce suicidal thoughts or behavior, and that it does not replace hospitalization when that is needed.
In research, a single IV ketamine infusion reduced suicidal thoughts within hours in many patients, with effects lasting up to about a week. A series of infusions is usually needed. Ketamine’s use for depression and suicidal thoughts is off-label.
Accelerated TMS completes a full course in about 5 days instead of about 6 weeks, which matters when depression is severe. TMS is FDA-cleared for depression; it is not specifically cleared for suicidal thoughts.
Yes. We often see patients stepping down from a hospital, emergency department, or intensive outpatient program. Bring your discharge paperwork, or ask your care team to send records to our fax at 202-464-5570.
Usually not. Spravato is taken alongside an oral antidepressant, and your psychiatrist will review your current medications before any treatment.
If you are thinking about ending your life or are not safe right now, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. WIP is an outpatient practice and does not provide emergency care.
Call (202) 525-5123 for WIP-DC or (240) 995-6005 for WIP-Rockville. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
