Waking Up To Life
July 19, 2019
If You Are An Attempt Survivor
For every one person that dies by suicide, 280 people think seriously about suicide but do not die.
Recovery is possible, but it will take time to heal both physically and emotionally. Follow these recommendations from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
Find an activity you enjoy. Self-care is important for everyone, but it is extremely vital to your recovery process. Perhaps you’re creative and you like to draw. Or perhaps you enjoy the outdoors and walking is therapeutic. Find out what brings you joy, then intentionally make time for those activities.
Talk to someone. It may be difficult to open up to someone about feelings you’ve held in for so long, but talking and bringing those feelings out into the light will help you feel better and allow others to help.
Find a counselor. Making the first phone call or sending the first email to get help is the bravest thing you can do for yourself. It is not a sign of weakness – it is a sign of strength. You matter, and the clinician you work with will help you find long-term strategies to ease the emotional pain that built up to your attempt.
Make a safety plan. Although you may be doing all of the above, having a step-by-step plan ready for if and when you feel depressed, suicidal or in crisis is crucial. Start at step one and continue through your plan until you feel safe. Share your plan with a family member or friend you trust who can check in with you and remind you of the steps you’ve identified. Call Prairie View’s crisis line at 800-362-0180 if you find yourself in a mental health crisis and a member of our Access Services team will partner with you. Same-day therapy appointments are available for those in crisis.
If You Are A Loss Survivor
With suicide rates on the rise, you certainly are not alone. For every individual who dies by suicide, family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances are all left feeling confused, shocked, lost, sad and angry, asking questions that likely can’t or won’t be answered, and struggling with the fact their loved one is no longer here.
Find a support group. Support groups provide a safe place for you to share your feelings and learn from others with similar experiences.
Do what feels right to you. Don’t feel pressured to talk about your loss right away if you’re not ready. When you do feel ready to speak, your friends and family will be given the opportunity to support you.
Write. Grab some paper and a pencil, and write a letter to your lost loved one.
Ask for help. It’s okay to recognize the need for assistance. Whether it’s a trusted friend, a pastor, co-worker or a mental health professional, support will see you through this difficult time.
Hope and healing are possible, but it will take time. Be patient through the recovery process, follow these recommendations and you will be able to cope with your loss in a healthy manner.