New Tool in Suicide Fight: Ketamine Approved for Acute Suicidality

Ketamine is now approved for public treatment of acute suicidality in Norway, offering a new avenue for those in crisis. Vilde Krum Dahl, a 34-year-old who experienced a period of intense despair, describes the treatment as her salvation. Her journey highlights the profound impact of mental health struggles despite a seemingly successful life.

Dahl once led a busy life, working as an English teacher in Tanzania, earning a master's degree in Sydney, and securing a stable job in Oslo producing commercials. However, beneath this facade, she grappled with the aftermath of multiple traumatic events experienced during her youth and adulthood. She admits to constantly running from her emotions, traveling extensively to distance herself from past traumas without processing them.

The situation worsened significantly a couple of years ago following a particularly difficult event. Dahl found herself using the TV series 'Friends' as a constant distraction, playing it while shopping and as a final activity before sleep. This coping mechanism eventually led to diagnoses of complex PTSD and clinical depression. Despite trying various treatments, including antidepressants, talk therapy, exposure therapy, and cognitive therapy, none provided relief.

By December 2025, Dahl reached a critical point, feeling that her situation would never improve. She expressed a strong desire to survive but felt lost on how to achieve it. It was at this juncture that she was introduced to ketamine therapy, which marked a significant shift in her recovery.

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I thought that this was not going to get better again.