This is going to be a 3 Part Series encompassing Surviving A Suicide Attempt. We will discuss the aftermath and what to expect, how to help and where to get help.
Welcome back Adventurers and friends to Adventures Inward Let’s Talk Series! For those who are here for the first time, hello! Welcome! Thank you for joining us!
This is going to be a 3 Part Series encompassing Surviving A Suicide Attempt, breaking it down as:
Part One: The Aftermath of Attempted Suicide
Part Two: Getting Support After a Suicide Attempt
Part Three: Supporting Someone After Their Suicide Attempt
For immediate help in the U.S., 24/7: Call 988 or go to 988lifeline.org. Outside of the U.S., visit the International Resources page for suicide hotlines in your country.
In this blog we will be looking at Part One, The Aftermath of Attempted Suicide of Surviving a Suicide Attempt.
So get yourself comfy cozy, open your heart, open your mind and let’s get into it…
Suicide attempts are significantly more common than completed suicides.
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.
Those who attempt suicide and survive often require significant support afterward, and should seek mental healthcare if they are able. But the good news is that while some who have attempted to take their life continue to struggle with suicidal thoughts, the majority of those who attempt suicide will not attempt it again; overall, the CDC reports that more than 90 percent of those who survive an attempt will not go on to die by it.
Most attempts are non-fatal, and most people who attempt suicide do not go on to do it again. But that doesn't mean that surviving an attempt will immediately solve the issues that first drove the person to make an attempt on their own life. Understanding the potential emotional aftermath of an attempt, and being aware that anyone who attempted suicide once may still be at risk, is necessary for helping survivors get mentally well and protecting them from future harm.
How do survivors usually feel after a suicide attempt?
The emotions that follow a suicide attempt can vary widely—from relief and hopefulness to sadness, anger, or regret. Some suicide survivors report feeling immediate second thoughts after the attempt, followed by an intense feeling of relief when they realized they’d survived. 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.
But sadly, such feelings aren’t universal. Some who survive a suicide attempt report feeling disappointed, ashamed, empty, or even more depressed than they were before. 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. 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.
Are people who survived a suicide attempt still at risk?
They can be. While many people who attempted suicide go on to live happy, fulfilling lives, previous suicide attempts are known risk factors for future attempts. Thus, it’s important for anyone who has attempted suicide in the past, and their loved ones, to pay attention to their mental well-being and seek immediate help when thoughts of suicide resurface.
How many suicide attempt survivors attempt suicide again at a later time?
Most people who attempt suicide—approximately 70 percent, according to some studies—will never attempt suicide again. Of those who do attempt suicide again, most will survive. Studies have estimated that anywhere from 5 to 13 percent of those who attempt suicide will later go on to die by it.
What can be done to better the lives of suicide attempt survivors?
Despite the relative prevalence of non-fatal suicide attempts, survivors are often left out of conversations around suicide, and their well-being post-attempt has not been the subject of a significant amount of research.
In order to improve the lives of suicide attempt survivors and to reduce their risk of later death by suicide, researchers suggest an increased focus on their mental state after an attempt—with a particular focus on identifying the factors that promote well-being and resilience.
Important, too, is a better understanding of what differentiates those who go on to attempt again and those who don’t, along with the emotional and social strategies that can best help individuals cope. Psychological flexibility, for example, is theorized to help survivors move forward after the attempt, rather than ruminating on it. If such theories are held up in research, treatment approaches that foster psychological flexibility—both before and after an attempt—may be valuable to explore.
Remember to be kind to yourself, give yourself grace and always always love yourself.