After an Attempt
Surviving a Suicide Attempt
A suicide attempt is extremely traumatic.
Survivors feel disorientated, lost, not knowing where and how to go from here on. Others may feel intense waves of fear, sadness or anger. Some, after experiencing these waves, become seemingly emotionless. Numb. It is natural to have such feelings and thoughts.
Here is a list of steps to follow after a suicide attempt:
Inform
Call a loved one or trusted friend right away.
Our ability to actively care for ourselves are greatly affected by the circumstances that give rise to the attempt in the first place. Having survived the attempt, this ability is further compromised. Which means that you are going to need support. Reach out immediately.
After informing, go to the nearest hospital or medical clinic to seek medical attention. Even if the attempt does not result in you suffering from any physical injury however minor, you should still seek medical attention.
What to do at the Hospital or Clinic
Knowing what to expect greatly reduces the anxiety that comes with waiting in a busy medical facility.
Firstly, emergency staff are trained to assess and manage any injuries requiring immediate medical attention. This is known as triage. After treating these injuries, they will then arrange for a mental health professional to meet and have a chat with you about your mental health status. This may include questions on your mood, the presence of recent major stressors, and any concerns with your daily functioning. This is really just to assess your mental state and look for any further risks that you may be facing.
Occasionally, the hospital may require a detailed review by doctors with different specialisations. Depending whether such doctor(s) are on hand, you may be warded for further observation or admitted into a ward.
Reaching out to your Tribe (my what?)
We often do not realise how many members of our tribe (your family, friends, colleagues, peers - anyone who is a part of your larger network) actually do care about our safety and well-being. Even if you don’t ordinarily consider them to be part of your support network.
It’s common for people to worry over what to say to others after the attempt. You may want to start a conversation only after you feel comfortable enough to share about your experience, and even then, you can control how much you want to share. Confiding in a support group that you trust and feel connected to helps you process the experience and suicidal thoughts, or make these thoughts easier to manage if they return.
Going forward
You may find it helpful to write down thoughts and helpful tips to make your transition period easier (“journalling”, for example). These include things like knowing what you can do to make it easier to cope with things in the days following your discharge from the hospital, knowing who in your social support network you can reach out to, and most importantly, having a plan for dealing with suicidal thoughts should they come up again.
Things can change for the better if you allow it to.
Most importantly, seek support from a mental health or counselling professional if you feel suicidal. They will work together with you to create a safety plan or finding ways to cope. Things can change for the better if you allow it to.