If you have Domestic Violence, Abuse or Suicide issues, please seek professional advice
on how to protect yourself, as well as seeking prayer support.
Prayers for suicide attempt survivors
If you are having thoughts about taking your life, it’s very important to tell someone you trust so that you can get the help you need to feel better. If you can’t immediately find someone you know to talk to, there are always people who are contactable by phone and who are willing, able and available 24 hours to help you.
You can see a longer list of HELPLINES HERE.
…”There is no right or wrong way to feel following a suicide attempt. You can experience a range of feelings, and you might find that these feelings can change quickly and unexpectedly. You might feel exhausted, numb, remorseful or embarrassed. Or you might feel shame or guilt, worried about how your attempt has affected those around you. You might also feel angry about what has happened and find it hard to see any hope for the future. Alternatively you might be relieved and glad that you have survived but unsure about what happens now.”
‘Finding your way back. A resource for people who have attempted suicide’
…”It is common for thoughts about suicide and death to return. People find that their suicidal thoughts can return in response to significant stress or tension. Often the hardest time for people to manage thoughts about suicide or death is in the period immediately after a suicide attempt or after discharge from hospital. Thoughts about death and suicide are not pleasant but the hard part is actually resisting the urge to act on them. This is a skill that people learn and become more confident with over time but can involve distraction techniques and spending time with others.”
…”You may find that the person you support is not able to talk about why they attempted suicide, particularly straight after the attempt. They may not have the words or be ready to talk about it. If they begin to explain what happened, listen and respond without judgment. Do your best to offer support with care and compassion. If you find it hard to understand or you disagree with their views, try to accept what has happened and move your focus to how you can now support them.”
‘Guiding their way back. A resource for people who are supporting someone after a suicide attempt ’
…”I do not have all the answers that would quell the rising number of people today seeing suicide as a solution. I do not have the perfect words to say to someone hurting with a pain that I truly do understand. I do know that there is no easy fix to pain. I know from experience that there is not.
What I can say is that, for me, growing spirituality in my life is what has made the difference. I am not talking about religion. I am talking about becoming and knowing you are part of something grander and greater than yourself.
My spirituality is a personal relationship with God. It has taken me years to understand what that really and honestly means. Each person’s spiritual journey will be different. My journey has had many people along the way hold me as I searched for my sense of belonging. Spirituality allows us to truly connect with others who also see that sense is made in our lives when we know there is more to our existence than our myopic vision of ourselves.
Today I am a very long way from that day when I attempted suicide as it seemed like the only answer. There have been many tears shed on my journey between that day and today. My life now has a great depth of meaning and purpose. I live with a sense of amazement and gratefulness to God for everything that my life has been and is now. I know I am loved and that I am part of a plan greater and more vast than I can ever know.”
‘I Attempted Suicide: How My Spirituality Saved Me’, September 11, 2019 at Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center blog
