After a suicide attempt

How you may be feeling

After a suicide attempt, it is common to experience a wide and sometimes conflicting range of emotions. You might feel physically and emotionally drained, confused, or numb. You may feel relieved that you survived, or that others now know how you have been feeling. You might also feel guilty, embarrassed, ashamed, or regretful about the impact on people who care about you. Some people feel angry, scared, or deeply uncertain about what comes next. 

All of these responses are understandable. What you have been through is difficult, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. While these emotions may feel very intense right now, they will subside, and a return to everyday life is possible. 

Recovery and professional support

Recovery after a suicide attempt may not follow a straight path. Healing takes time, and being patient with yourself is part of the process. 

When everything feels hard, a simple daily routine can help you move through each day without having to make too many decisions. Try to eat regular meals, drink enough water, get enough sleep, and do some gentle physical activity when you feel able. These small, consistent steps can have a real impact on your mood and energy over time. 

Reaching out to a mental health professional is also an important part of recovery. Counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists can help you work through what led to the attempt, build coping strategies, and put a personalised treatment plan in place. Depending on what you need, this might involve therapy, medication, safety planning, or a mix of approaches. 

If you are not sure where to begin, your GP is a good first port of call. They can point you in the right direction and help you access a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which subsidises sessions with a mental health professional. You can also call Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 at any time, day or night. 

Building support after a suicide attempt

Having people around you during recovery can make a real difference. It is not always easy to let others in, but you do not have to go through this alone. 

If you feel ready, sharing how you are feeling with someone you trust gives them the chance to offer practical help and a listening ear. Sometimes it helps to be specific about what you need. You might ask for help with household chores, a reminder to get some fresh air, or simply ask for some company. If talking feels too hard, writing a message or letter first can be a gentler way in. You can also set your own limits around what you are ready to discuss. You do not have to share everything at once. 

Being around others, even in a public space like a café or park, can also help ease feelings of isolation and loneliness. If the people closest to you are not in a position to support you right now, that is okay, too. Support groups can offer connection and understanding from people who have been through similar experiences. Your GP, a local mental health organisation, or the Lifeline Service Finder can help you find one near you. 

Reasons to live

It can be helpful to reflect on your reasons to live. It may be your family, friends, everyday pleasures, new experiences, or a beloved pet that are your most important reasons for living. Perhaps it’s a passion or interest that is meaningful to you. While reflecting, you may want to write them down or store them in different formats, such as a photo collage, a voice message, or a note on your phone. Keep these thoughts in an accessible place so you can remind yourself of them when you are feeling low.  

Coping strategies that can help  

Learning to manage difficult thoughts and feelings takes time, but it is possible. The following strategies range from things you can try in the moment when thoughts become overwhelming, to habits that can support your wellbeing over time. 

Create a safety plan

A safety plan is a practical tool that helps you feel more in control when things become difficult. A safety plan includes your early warning signs and triggers, your reasons for living, coping strategies that work for you, people you can contact for support, and emergency contact details. Be as honest as you can to ensure you are comfortable with your plan so that it meets your needs. 

You can write your plan down or use a free app like Beyond Now to store it on your phone. If you would like help putting one together, your GP, a mental health professional, or a trusted friend can help you get started. For more information, see our Making a safety plan page.

Know your triggers

Try to identify what tends to set off difficult thoughts for you. Triggers can include spending too much time alone, stressful situations, certain people or places, or the anniversary of a painful event. Once you know your triggers, you can use your safety plan as a guide when they arise. 

Remove access to means

If there are items in your home that you could use to harm yourself, consider asking a trusted person to look after them for you.  

Relaxation techniques

Practising relaxation techniques can help calm your mind during moments of distress. Some options include: 

• Slow, deep breathing: When you feel overwhelmed, deliberately slowing your breath can help calm your nervous system. Try breathing in for four counts, holding for four, and breathing out for four. 
• Progressive muscle relaxation: This involves working through different muscle groups in your body, tensing each one for a few seconds and then releasing. It can help relieve physical tension that builds up alongside emotional distress. 
• Guided imagery: This technique involves using your imagination to picture a calm, safe place in as much detail as you can. It sounds simple, but focusing your mind on a peaceful scene can help interrupt spiralling thoughts. 
• Meditation: Regular meditation can help increase self-awareness and promote a sense of calm. Free apps like Smiling Mind offer guided sessions, and there are many videos available on YouTube if you prefer to start there. 

Journaling

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process emotions, notice patterns in your thinking, and track your progress over time. You do not have to share what you write with anyone. Keeping a journal can also help you identify your triggers and reflect on how far you have come. 

Staying active and connected

Physical activity you enjoy, whether that is walking, swimming, or gentle stretching, can help reduce stress and improve your mood. Engaging in hobbies that bring you comfort, such as reading, gardening, listening to music, or spending time with pets, can also provide a helpful distraction from negative thoughts. 

Avoid alcohol and other substances

When you are going through a difficult time, it can be tempting to reach for alcohol or other substances to take the edge off. While they might offer brief relief, they tend to make things harder in the long run. Alcohol can lower your inhibitions and increase impulsive behaviour, and regular use can deepen feelings of depression. If you are finding it difficult to cut back, speak to your GP or a counsellor.  

Setting goals

Setting small, achievable goals can provide a sense of purpose and direction during recovery. These do not have to be big. Goals can be related to your mental health, personal interests, or relationships. Try breaking larger goals into smaller steps and acknowledge your progress along the way. Be flexible and kind with yourself, as the path forward will not always feel smooth. 

Self-compassion

While it can be easier to show kindness and patience to others when they are struggling, many of us find it hard to extend that same care to ourselves. But you deserve compassion too. 

Self-compassion does not mean pretending everything is fine or ignoring painful feelings. It means acknowledging that what you have been through is genuinely hard, that struggling does not make you weak or a burden, and that you deserve support and care just as much as anyone else does. 

Take things one day at a time. Recovery is different for everyone, and it may not always feel linear, but with patience, support, and self-compassion, it is possible. 

Getting support

If you continue to have suicidal thoughts, please reach out for support. If you are already working with a mental health professional, stay in contact with them, particularly when you are feeling distressed. If you need extra support between appointments, helplines are available around the clock. 

Helplines available 24/7: 

• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 (national)
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (national)
• 13YARN: 13 92 76 (national helpline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
• Emergency services: Call 000 if your life is in immediate danger

To find local support services near you: 

• Medicare Mental Health (free service that connects you with mental health support)
• Lifeline Service Finder (service directory)
• Healthdirect Service Finder (service directory)

For more information on the services available, read our article on Accessing professional support.  

If you are feeling suicidal and need someone to talk to, call Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 to speak to a counsellor or click the chat button on the right for online counselling. Our service is free and available 24/7. 

If it is an emergency, please call 000.