The media often covers the stories of people who have committed suicide, rather than the stories of attempt survivors. Why is this so? An overwhelming majority of people who attempt suicide survive the event. When we focus entirely on the stories of lives lost, we miss the elevating opportunity for survivors to share their wisdom.
Attempt survivors are in the best position to educate others on suicide, which remains a taboo topic despite recent media coverage. If you’re an attempt survivor, you carry with you invaluable knowledge of what reaffirms one’s precious will to live. When we speak our truth, we offer hope to others while also honoring the warrior in ourselves. We also continue the chain of collective goodwill that helps bring us and others back from the brink. Here are some resources for attempt survivors who continue to exude strength and hope:
- Live Through This breaks the taboo of suicide by offering diverse portraits of attempt survivors
- SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) offers next-step resources for attempt survivors, including a peer support network called Connections
- Lifeline Attempt Survivors provides stories of survival, self-care tips, as well as an online support community
If you’re an attempt survivor, do consider reaching out to others who share your experience, and those who are currently struggling with thoughts of suicide. To share your narrative is to extend your strength and wisdom to others!
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