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The effort to take one’s life can lead to changes in a person’s life that are not always obvious. Just because someone survives such an attempt does not mean that the emotional suffering which caused it has disappeared. Indeed, in numerous instances, the days, weeks, and months that follow a suicide attempt are marked by a variety of emotions, questions, and a sense of uncertainty.
Some people might feel relieved, while others might feel shame, guilt, fear, anger, sadness, or even confusion about what happened. Since everyone is different, there is no one particular emotional reaction to having survived a suicide attempt.
What is the effect on mental health after a suicide attempt?
Following a suicide attempt, an individual may go through great emotional changes; the experience can be traumatic, particularly when it is combined with the circumstances that led to the attempt.
A person might have difficulty sleeping, find it hard to concentrate, feel emotionally detached, or become more anxious or withdrawn. They may keep thinking about what happened or struggle to understand why they got into that situation. Such reactions can occur in addition to any preexisting mental health conditions and may temporarily make the symptoms seem more severe.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions can all contribute to an individual’s suicide risk. Although making a suicide attempt does not always result in the development of a new mental health disorder, it can make it more difficult to manage any symptoms that already exist. That is the reason why a mental health evaluation and ongoing treatment are so important following a suicide attempt.
Could there be a greater chance of another suicide attempt?
Yes, a prior suicide attempt is one of the most well-known risk factors for making another one. (Pemau et al., 2024, pp. 1897-1904) This does not mean a further attempt will occur, but it does mean the case should be taken seriously and that ongoing support and treatment should be provided.
That is one reason why the period after a suicide attempt should not be regarded as ‘everything is fine now’. Although a person may seem calmer after leaving the hospital or going home, this does not always indicate that the fundamental problems have been solved.
A safety plan, regular therapy, taking medication when appropriate, support from reliable individuals, and follow-up care all play an important role in reducing future risk. Moreover, research shows that maintaining contact and providing follow-up after an attempt is worthwhile. (Effectiveness of brief interventions and contacts after suicide attempt: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2024, pp. 1-10)
Can mental clarity be felt following an attempt?
That is possible. After surviving a suicide attempt, a person can have a sudden shift in their point of view and might come to realize that they need help, reestablish contact with people they care about, or start to see possibilities which seemed impossible at the time of the crisis.
That does not imply that the person is immediately ‘cured’ or that the thoughts will never come back.
Suicidal thoughts may appear and then disappear, especially in people who are suffering from depression, trauma, anxiety, substance use, relationship difficulties, grief, or other serious stressors. Although feeling better following an attempt is a significant step, it should be seen as a chance to keep going with treatment and not as a reason to stop it.
What impact can an attempt to commit suicide have on a mental health disorder that one already has?
An attempt to commit suicide can make one’s existing symptoms more noticeable. A person who has depression might feel more hopeless or guilty. One who has anxiety could end up feeling more afraid or overwhelmed. A person with PTSD might have an increase in their trauma symptoms, and substance use may also become harder to control.
At the same time, surviving an attempt can be a turning point; with proper treatment, people can learn healthier ways to manage overwhelming emotions, recognize warning signs, build coping skills, and address the problems that led to the crisis.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are examples of evidence-based methods that can assist individuals in dealing with suicidal thoughts and difficult emotions. (Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescent self-harm and suicidal ideation: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2020)
Recovery After a Suicide Attempt Is Possible
We should never take a suicide attempt lightly, any more than we should take suicidal thoughts lightly.
It is not necessary for a single attempt to determine the rest of a person’s life, since recovery can take place and seeking help is a vital aspect of that process; the aim is not merely to get over the attempt but to understand what occurred, attend to the underlying mental health issues, and create a plan for dealing with future episodes of emotional distress.
It is important to seek professional help if you or a loved one has made a suicide attempt; you never have to work out all the issues by yourself.
If you or a close person is experiencing thoughts of suicide or is going through emotional distress, please call or send a text message to 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In the case of immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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