This guide will discuss some of the thoughts and feelings a person who survives a suicide attempt might have. It also offers some ways family members and friends can help.
Surviving Suicide Attempt
The person may have mixed emotions and conflicting feelings after a suicide attempt. Feelings might include:
Relief to be alive
Shame
Guilt
Thankfulness
Embarrassment
Regret
Depression
Lack of memory
Sinfulness
Sense of being saved by divine intervention
Confusion
A sense of failure
Anger
Support from Friends and Family
At first, a friend or family member can:
Let them know you love them.
Let them know you’re glad they are alive.
Let them know you’ll be there for support.
Be there for them. While the person who has attempted suicide may not want to talk, your presence is needed.
Offer to help them make connections to spiritual and cultural supports.
Get support for yourself.
Later, you might want to:
Give the person opportunities to talk freely about the attempt.
Allow the person to talk about the events leading up to the attempt.
Let the person know it’s ok to tell someone if they feel suicidal.
Give them the phone number of the local crisis line and emergency room.
Ask the person if meeting with a therapist or counselor would be helpful.
If they are not already seeing a counselor, suggest an evaluation by a doctor for depression or other illnesses.
Help the person get back in touch with mental health workers and support people.
What Does Not Help the Survivor
Staying away from the person or their family.
Expressing blame or anger toward the person, yourself, or others.
Telling the person they should not talk about it.
Telling the person they should talk about it before they are ready.
Telling the person they should notfeel as they do.
These are very common feelings. If you are struggling with any of them, it is important for you to get support for yourself. Therapists, counselors, and support groups can all help. They can help you to better understand how to support someone after a suicide attempt.
For More Information
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
http://www.sprc.org/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
https://afsp.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Dane County
(608) 249-7188
https://www.namidanecounty.org/
NAMI Wisconsin
(608) 268-6000
https://namiwisconsin.org/
NAMI Northern Illinois
(815) 963-2470
https://naminorthernillinois.org
https://namiillinois.org
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988.
Text HOME to 741741 to reach a Crisis Counselor.
Community Resources
If you have health insurance, you might have access to counseling. Call your insurance company or speak to your health care provider for more information.
If you do not have health insurance, call your local county Department of Human Services. The Mental Health Coordinator can provide information on resources specific to your area.
Connect with the local Survivors of Suicide support group.
Dane County
(608) 280-2700
https://sprc.org/tools/resources-survivors-suicide-loss/
Winnebago County, IL
(815) 222-1482
If you are concerned that your friend or family member is currently having suicidal thoughts or feelings, call your local 24-hour crisis line.
Dane County
(608) 280-2600
Winnebago County, IL
Call Contact of Rockford at (815) 636-5000.
