This, honestly, isn’t a topic I thought of myself, but in my search log, it turns out that many people are searching for “what to do if you’ve just attempted suicide” and ending up here. On the one hand it saddens me to think of these people who have attempted suicide reading these words, but on the other hand, it is very positive that someone who has attempted suicide is reaching out in whatever way possible.
So, if you have recently attempted suicide, I welcome you. Thank-you for seeking this out.
If You’ve Just Attempted Suicide and are Injured
If you’re injured or may be injured from a suicide attempt you need to get medical help immediately. Stop reading this, pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1 (or your country’s equivalent emergency number). Do not take a chance with your health. You want to deal with this problem now, before it gets any worse, believe me. Always err on the side of medical attention.
If You’ve Attempted Suicide and are Not Injured
If you’ve attempted suicide and are not in any way injured (maybe you were interrupted, for example) then you have a bit of wiggle room – but you still must contact a medical professional. What you have done, or have attempted to do, is extremely serious. Your health is still in danger even if the danger is not immediate. Your safety is the most important thing.
If you feel you are safe at the moment, you can call and make an appointment with your doctor or therapist. If you feel you might not be safe, call a suicide hotline immediately. The people on a suicide hotline are there to preserve your safety.
Getting Help after a Suicide Attempt
I realize you may not want to get help after a suicide attempt. I realize you might be embarrassed about the suicide attempt. I realize that you might not want to admit to a stranger that you have attempted suicide.
These feelings are normal. People often feel shame about a suicide attempt.
But you shouldn’t. What you’ve done is express your pain and suffering in a physical way and this is a sign of the gravity of your situation. You didn’t do anything wrong. You just manifested pain that you didn’t know how to deal with in any other way. I know it may not look like it, but your suicide attempt made sense to a small part of you at the time. And there is nothing shameful about that.
But now you have to work on dealing with that pain in a way that is more constructive. Now you need to work on reducing the pain that drove you to the suicide attempt. Now you need to work on coping techniques.
And these coping techniques are real and do work. You don’t have to feel the pain that drove you to a suicide attempt. Really. Professionals like psychologists and psychiatrists build their whole careers around alleviating that kind of suffering.
Things to Remember About a Suicide Attempt
Please remember that if you have attempted suicide:
- You need to get help as soon as possible. If you are injured – it is an emergency.
- You need to assure your immediate safety.
- You are not alone. Many have attempted suicide and gone on to live full and happy lives.
- What you did is not shameful or embarrassing – it is just a medical situation that needs to be dealt with.
- Your life is worth saving. I know you believe this because you’re reading this article.
Hi I’m ana and I’m 14. My life is horrible my friends secretly hat me andown if I talk to my family about what I’m going through trust me they would say I’m over reacting. Everybody blames me and I fell like every step in take is a mistake. I tell them about my accomplishments athe school and they don’t really care. My older sister treats me like trash. Once my mom was constantly yelling at me for steeping on her bag. I started doing tell her it was an accident. All of a sudden my whole family started ganging up on me. All kinds could hear was “why are you so annoying ” ” this is why nobody wants you” i have tried everything I could to die, to end the pain . I tried to drink rubbing alchoal, bleach, medicine. I never actually succeeded on doing it only once I drank an entire bottle of perfume. I know it’s crazy. I went to the hospital and got my system flushed out. And still my family hates me. They tell me how I was so stupid and My sister told me “trust me you could disappear and no one would would care why” i need help.
Hi Ana,
I’m so sorry you’re in that situation. It sounds very hard. You need to find help outside of your family, it sounds like. You can call a helpline anytime (not just when you’re suicidal). Find the numbers and other information here: https://natashatracy.com/get-mental-illness-help/
Also, your school counsellor may be a good support for you so see if you can talk to one as soon as possible.
I hear you when you say you’re suicidal but trust me, things do get better. I know it sounds like I’m just an adult that doesn’t know what she’s talking about, but I do. I have been where you are and I know how hard it is. But I also know that it gets better. Your life is long and worth more than you can imagine. You will find happiness but reach out for help.
– Natasha Tracy
I attempted suicide last night. I cut my wrist. It’s still sore and I put a bandage on it. this morning I woke up with my hand swollen. I also attempted suicide the night before last and the week before with pills. I’ve been doing it quite often. My mum took all my pills away from me. But still have knives in the house. My mum works so i’m left alone during the day. I still intend to commit suicide. unfortunately my attempts so far haven’t done anything to help me die. I ‘ve just got cuts and not feeling that great. Feel sick to my stomach and lightheaded and dizzy.
Hi Nikola,
Thank you for reaching out here. I know that must have been difficult. Please know that every one of us here, and there are thousands of us, stand with you in this moment.
I have been in your shoes. I have attempted suicide. I know what that feeling, that desire, is like. But believe me, death is not the solution. There are other solutions out there for your pain. Please reach out and let someone show them to you.
Please to go an Emergency Room. Please go there right now. Just walk in the front door and say that you have attempted multiple times and you feel that you will again. The hospital will admit you and you will get the help you need.
You could also look up a suicide crisis center (try Googling suicide crisis center + your location). The people there will absolutely help you through what’s happening.
Or you can call the Suicide Lifeline. The people there are amazing. They will listen to you and help you get a hold of more resources. Find them here: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or at 1-800-273-8255. There are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
I know that it might feel like suicide is the only option — it felt that way for me — but it isn’t. You want the pain to end. I get that. But, please, there are so many ways to do that. You want to be here to fall in love. Have a career. Get married. Go for a skydive. Or do whatever it is that you choose with your life.
This is not the end.
Please reach out. Please choose life. Life won’t be this hard forever, I promise.
– Natasha Tracy
Ok well I’m 12 and I just drank 9 pills to.committee suicide and I don’t really think I need any help cuz I’m not feeling droopy or anything and I don’t well mom anything cuz I’m afraid that maybe she’ll be embarrass of me and get very angry and this might turn ugly. Honestly she wouldn’t care at all tho but I’m used to it
I’m in desperate help and I need a.hug plz
If someone cares plz let me know cuz I need to talk to.someone really bad well ok bye
My life sucks nothing is going right and I have no family to turn to really, can’t get a job an everything I tend to do is wrong. The one person in my life that should matter im pushing away for some reason. I was never the crying type but found myself crying more in the last few days then I ever did before an I don’t understand why, but I’m getting off track a few hours ago I tryed to hang myself but I guess I didn’t tye the end right so I only passed out and was found and revived I don’t know what to do now …..
3 nights a go I trI’d to end all of my pain, I tried to kill myself but it didn’t work and that pisses me off. I hate lying to everyone and telling them I am better or fine when I’m not really they don’t know I’m lying to them.
Hi I’m Alycia and I’m 12 years old. I tried to commit suicide after 2 deaths of loved ones. Plus theres the fact I have depression. But I’m ashamed of it because well, I never lived my life yet. My friends don’t care, my parents aren’t together. I recently moved and my little sister despises me. It was so strange, I was holding a razor one minute then sitting in a tub fully clothed drowning. My mom came in and interupted me. Thank God for that. Anyway now I’m living alright. No more attempts.
On my last attempt I was allowed to go home that night…this was my fifth attempt in ten months…Complex PTSD and depression…I was a bit surprised but left at 2am to go home…I have no support…bc people can’t deal with it and that’s fine..I understand…I do have my Case Mgr and Psychologist that I see weekly but it is in btw times that are extremely difficult to deal with…I live alone and isolate myself a lot but feel better for that as it is better than being around people who don’t understand or just don’t give a damn. I believe it is inevitable that this will be my passing and that is now ok with me…it consumes your mind all of the time…I have been told there is light at the end of the tunnel…but it is a very long dark road to that tunnel and when you are there day in and day out…there is only so much a person can take…
Forgot to click to notify me of follow-up comments. Just posting for that.
I tried to commit suicide, on Friday January 25th. My husband found me in time. God didn’t want me to succeed in my attempt.
I spent 3 days in the hospital. Didn’t end up in the psych ward. Got to go home.
It was all very surreal. I remembered taking the pills, but couldn’t quite believe I’d done it. Even though I remembered doing it, I felt like asking, “I did what now?” Just surreal.
My husband was devastated. And I think this was the first time I’d been away from our son at night since… I don’t know.
I know I just was weak when the feelings of being unworthy and useless and overwhelmed hit. I’ve felt worse and managed to cope. Sorta. But for some reason it was too much this time. But although I see that, I still can’t quite understand how I could do that to my husband and child.
At the same time, I better understand how others can get that depressed and desperate.
My Mom attempted suicide about the same age I did. She also did not succeed, thank God.
The past 3 years have been awful, with my parents health declining rapidly, and them needing my care. Meanwhile, I have a partially autistic child and a job, and a rapidly increasing financial dept thanks to paying for daycare so I can go to work, but ending up taking my Mom to doctor appointments, etc. It wouldn’t have been so bad but what I gave was never enough for my Mom, and my husband was going crazy watching me sink more and more of my time into my parents and not into our child or my job, which we needed as we are a 2 income family.
I felt like I was being pulled apart.
Mom died a little over a year ago. I felt guilty and relieved. But I didn’t miss her. I’d already said goodbye to her in a way, as the stroke that precipitated everything for her decline had made her into someone very very hard to deal with. Abusive. Unfortunately, I feel like I was abusive back to her.
It’s one thing to help someone who is grateful for your help. It’s another to help someone who tells you it’s never enough, or is ungrateful and often nasty. It wears you down.
I think my suicide attempt was about that.
My Dad is still alive. He’s in a nursing home. The one my family had to put my Mom in, once the money for home care ran out, and their house had to be sold. He was living at home trying to care for Mom until he tripped and broke his neck. 6 months (or was it 3?) after his surgery to fuse his vertebre, when they removed his “halo”, and he couldn’t walk, and medicare had run out… that was when they realized he had Parkinson’s. The Parkinson’s is probably why he tripped in the first place. And it explains alot of weird things he did prior to ending up in a nursing home.
The major stressers are gone, but it’s like I’m still broken. I think I have a kind of PTSD. But I’m hanging in there. And grateful to God for not letting me succeed in my suicide attempt. And still frustrated because it’s like, ironically, I still don’t know why I did it. I mean, I just typed all of the above, but somehow it’s like that emotionally doesn’t click.
The one good thing about this whole attempt is I feel a little like I “rebooted” my life. My husband noticed that I seemed to have my sense of humor and prior personality back… i.e., I was acting like I did before my Mom’s stroke 3 years ago that started the downhill spiral of my parent’s health decline.
I don’t recommend suicide for “rebooting” anyone’s life, lol. I haven’t read it yet, but maybe that’s what you wrote about in your article about people who commit suicide but don’t want to die.
I have tryed twice to comit suicide,just needs a little thing to start it off .The other day I was really down as I am in and out of hostpital ,but no body asks how are u ,not even my daughter ,then she told me to get a life , as nobody cares about happens to me ,went through all our friends ,what we thought ,and I have help ,but nothing .Family member there is just my dad ,and I have to look after him as he is 86 .My huddy undersstands some of the illness ,but now I have put on 5 stone ,because of tablets ,feel he doesnt want me ,as theres no feeling there.I did go the docs on that bad day I had ,he give me blood presser tablets ,and have also been in touch with mind ,the charity ,made 2 appointment ,and couldnt go .Just want to get rid of this black clould ,and some body to love me .Lesley thanks
Hi Lesley,
That is what we all want, believe me.
And I would just like to say that I’m sure it’s not true that no one cares what happens to you. It’s very hard on those who love someone who attempted suicide and they don’t always behave or handle it in the best way, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. And saying “get a life” is decidedly the wrong thing to do, but it’s likely the best she could come up with. She may really be genuinely trying to help but she’s just going about it in a way that is hurtful.
It sounds to me like you’re going through a really bad time, and we all go through those, obviously, those of us with a mental illness go through those rough times a little more than others. But those troubles you are seeing look worse because of depression. Once you are able to get that under control, things won’t look so bad.
My best advice is just to keep breathing and work with your doctor to find something that works for you. If you have gained weight, then maybe that’s not the right medication for you. Tell your doctor your concerns and see if he can help right them.
Things aren’t going to get better over night but everything changes and it won’t be like this forever. I promise.
– Natasha Tracy
Lesley, I’m glad you didn’t succeed in your attempts both times you tried.
Please hang in there. I know it’s hard to take care of elderly parents.
I don’t know what else you are going through. If your daughter is a teenager when she said to get a life, well, I hate to say it, but teenage daughters generally do not get along with their mothers. It was very insensitive of her to say that, but partially typical. Give her time to grow up.
Please continue to get help.
Also, I was on Xanax when I had my attempt. I’ve since gone off of it. I had withdrawal symptoms (like feeling stir crazy, not being able to sit still… even in a movie theatre), but now feel MUCH better off the Xanax. I don’t think it caused my suicide attempt, but I don’t think it was helping me at this point. It had it’s place in my life, but unfortunately had become too much of a crutch and an addiction. It was definitely time to get off it.
I’m still on Celexa, my OCD medication. That’s still working out well.
I don’t know if you are on something Xanax-like, but maybe it would help to go off it? Ask your doctor.
{{{{HUGS}}}}
My 26 year old son committed suicide last year. We had no clue he was ill. He left us a very kind note apologizing for the pain he was going to cause us. When we got into his computer it seems he thought he was getting signs from God.
While all the law enforcement individuals involved in his case were very kind, it hurt when I was told my son’s suicide was considered a crime.
The further out I am from his death, and the more I read and hear about how mentally ill people are thought of and treated……I understand why he tried to just handle it himself. Once the cat is out of the bag, it’s out. Your life will be forever changed.
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m so sorry you have had that experience. I can’t know what you’re feeling but it looks like you’re working to make sense of it and to some extent, you are succeeding.
Please know that you are not alone and that many of us feel for you. I thank you for sharing your story as it helps other people realize they are not alone too.
If you know of any resources that have been helpful during this time in your life, I would love it if you would share them.
– Natasha Tracy
They treat suicide victims like criminals… They’re sprayed with mace, handcuffed, thrown in a cop car and escorted to a facility that keeps you for at least three days.. There is no sympathy… Just meanness…
How can you say you bring ” love and compassion” to this topic. I have just read your article from 2010 discussing “saying goodbye” to those with mental illness and it appears you have abandoned people close to you for not helping themselves or letting others help.
It’s clear you have no insight into mental illness so what gives you the right to post a blog like this after the previous one, true people need this kind of advice but it feels too hypocritical following comments made before You think your brother chose to be how he is? Would you abandon him if say he had lung cancer but still smoked ?
If people are unwell and violent they would be detained in a hospital and safe visiting could be facilitated even then. You should never give up on someone just because their unwell. I feel the only reason you would would be for your own benefit.
Hi Kizzla,
Well, technically, I have never had to lead anyone due to a mental illness however, that doesn’t mean that other people, quite reasonably, haven’t. I’ve written more on this topic but simply I would say that until you have been beaten by someone you love, over and over, because they have a mental illness, for which they refuse help, you ought not judge so harshly.
And as for my insight, well, that’s a matter of opinion. You’re certainly welcome to yours.
As for my brother, that’s irrelevant, as for a person with a mental illness, yes, we all make choices that either point us towards getting better or not. Every one of us needs to take individual responsibility for that. We all make choices and our choices can actively make us better, or not.
“If people are unwell and violent they would be detained in a hospital and safe visiting could be facilitated even then.”
Maybe, maybe not. It’s not so easy getting someone detained in a hospital. I hear from families every day that can’t get their loved ones admitted, and those that can get them in for a few days and then out – not enough time to make anything better.
You are obviously make judgements about something you have never experienced. Really. Once you deal with someone who has an intractable illness, who refuses help, who is abusive to you, can you really understand what hell some people live with and, possibly, can’t live with.
– Natasha Tracy
This is a great article to put out there. People really need to know not to be ashamed and that it’s okay to ask for help. Thank you for writing this!!
Hi Laura,
I totally agree.
You’re welcome :)
– Natasha Tracy
in texas if you call 911 they send the police and the ambulance and then they handcuff you in the hospital room and later arrest you
Hi Ricky,
I’m not sure under what circumstance this might occur, but I’ve certainly never heard of it happening in general.
– Natasha Tracy
I live in Texas. I can attest the way they treat the mentally ill here is absolutely appalling….especially law enforcement.
I have to say it has been my experience also in Tennessee that even if you are in a hospital they will arrest you. The handcuffs they say are standard prcedure though they use shackles from time to time depending on circumstances. I am not sure why they do things this way though the officers generally have been more weirded out by it than I was.
Hi Debra,
What’s the charge?
– Natasha Tracy
Maybe I should have said taken into custody though arrested was all I could think to call it. There is no court date to speak of. The law comes, they put the cuffs on, and take you to a mental hospital. If they have any indigication of violence they bring shackles for added measures. I just normally associate handcuffs with the word arrest.
Hi Debra,
Right, so you’re not arrested, it’s just that the police are transporting you to a facility.
Now I have heard of this and initially, I was appalled, but then I heard of one person who was being transported, not shackled, and ran out of the ER, into traffic and killed himself. And I think that’s what the police or emergency personnel are trying to avoid here. They are trying to avoid you hurting yourself or someone else. And while I do think it would be horrible to be shackled I think it’s understandable from their perspective because someone in an emotional crisis is inherently unpredictable.
– Natasha Tracy
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for such a wonderful article and the many wonderful links you’ve provided for further help for those who may be suicidal or have attempted. It is such a critical time to be able to get the proper help and there’s not a whole lot out there available for attempt survivors.
I’ll definitely be sharing your many excellent posts as WSPD is approaching Sept. 10, 2012.
Hi Barb,
Thanks. Anything I (or we) can do to prevent even one suicide is a job worth doing.
– Natasha Tracy
Natasha – This is a fantastic article. One that I wish I had immediately following my first suicide attempt. I try to write as much as I can on the subject of suicide prevention and recovery, and I just finished an article on “if you’re suicidal” on my blog at: http://www.suicidesurvivalguide.com/if-youre-suicidal.
May I repost your article on my blog? I’ll be sure to give full credit and follow any reposting guidelines that you have.
Sincerely,
James
Hi James,
I’m really hoping it will help people who are in this difficult situation. It’s so hard to find any words on surviving a suicide attempt and I hope these words can help people.
As for content reproduction, I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that for copyright and other reasons. What you can do, though, is quote part of the article and link to the rest.
I appreciate your support and your work on the subject too.
– Natasha Tracy
Natasha,
Thank you for your response. I will write a post on the subject, and quote part of your article. Along with a link back to your original article.
Sincerely,
James
Hi James,
Sounds great. If you want to pop by afterwards and tell us the URL, that would be good too :)
– Natasha Tracy
Hi Natasha,
Thank you for such an excellent article! You bring so much sensitivity and love to a topic so many find difficult to talk about.
You are absolutely right on target with your suggestions. I worked in acute care psychiatry for 5 years and worked with many suicidal clients. Often when people attempt suicide it is because they don’t see a way out of the pain and turmoil they’re experiencing. Suicide seems like an option to end the hopelessness they feel. However out of the thousands of clients I’ve worked with almost all of them say deep down what they want is not to kill themselves but to “end the pain”. So many live with this intolerable pain for so long and lose hope.
What people need to know is that they are not alone and there is hope. If you are willing to reach out and seek help there is a way through. There is a way to reduce the emotional turmoil you’ve been feeling for so long. There is a way to for you to overcome your challenges. There is a way for you to feel better and move foward in your life. You can HEAL. Regardless of what has happened in the past you can recover and return to your wholeness.
Please take the advise Natasha so kindly offers here. Get the help you need. There is no shame in struggling. There is no shame in feeling the way you do. However there is a way to help your situation. Things will get better if you’re willing to reach out.
I wish you many blessings and peace,
Neseret
Hi Neseret,
Thank-you. I read your comment and I thought, you know, you’re right, I do bring sensitivity, love and hopefully compassion to this topic. I never thought of it that way, but I think you’re right. I really do try to support people in these tough situations and tell them they are still worthy and loveable and “normal” (if you will).
Thanks for your encouragement to these people too. I know people reading this appreciate it.
– Natasha Tracy