In the long-term, finding a sense of purpose has been shown to help suicide attempt survivors recover from despair and once again feel there is meaning in life. Joining a support group can be useful toward this end connecting with other attempt survivors can both provide social contact and can help you identify new coping skills that you can make use of if feelings of sadness or instability start to return. Experts recommend reaching out to others as much as you’re able, and letting them know that you are hurting and need their help. It’s very likely that your loved ones are deeply worried about you and want to help, even if they’re not quite sure what to do or say. But social connection is especially important in the wake of a suicide attempt, and can be powerfully healing. It’s normal to experience feelings of shame after an attempt, to deliberately isolate yourself, or to attempt to keep what happened a secret from others. (To find a professional near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.) Once stability has been achieved, taking steps to bolster your mental health is imperative-if you are able, you should seek the help of a therapist as soon as possible to help navigate your mental state and learn coping skills to help you guard against future attempts. In the immediate aftermath of a non-fatal suicide attempt, it’s critical to seek medical and psychological care-either by calling a local emergency number or going to the nearest hospital. While anyone who has attempted suicide should seek mental healthcare in the immediate aftermath, it is especially imperative for those who continue to feel predominantly negative or who are having thoughts of a future attempt.įor more on finding help in a crisis, see Seeking Help for Suicidal Thoughts. Although some evidence suggests that such negative feelings will dissipate for the majority of suicide attempt survivors, they should be heeded if present, as they may indicate that the individual is still at risk of suicidal thoughts or future suicidal behaviors. Some who survive a suicide attempt report feeling disappointed, ashamed, empty, or even more depressed than they were before. Some feel as if they’ve been given a new lease on life, and are able to return to their lives with a greater sense of purpose and gratitude others report feeling as if a burden has been lifted-especially if they had been keeping their mental health challenges or suicidal thoughts secret from their loved ones-or as if they've been “snapped out” of their despair.īut sadly, such feelings aren’t universal. Some suicide survivors report feeling immediate second thoughts after the attempt, followed by an intense feeling of relief when they realized they’d survived. The emotions that follow a suicide attempt can vary widely-from relief and hopefulness to sadness, anger, or regret. To find a therapist near you, see the Psychology Today Therapy Directory. Outside of the U.S., visit the International Resources page for suicide hotlines in your country. But the good news is that while some who have attempted suicide continue to struggle with suicidal thoughts, the majority of those who attempt suicide will not attempt suicide again overall, the CDC reports that more than 90 percent of those who survive a suicide attempt will not go on to die by suicide.įor immediate help in the U.S., 24/7: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK. Those who attempt suicide and survive often require significant support afterward, and should seek mental healthcare if they are able. In 2019, for example, the CDC reported that in the U.S., there were 47,500 completed suicides compared to 1.4 million attempts-and while both of these numbers are likely underreported, they suggest that less than 5 percent of suicide attempts are fatal. Suicide attempts are significantly more common than completed suicides.
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