Almost losing a loved one through a suicide attempt can be scary and conflicting. The situation can make you paranoid and overprotective because you will try by all means to shield the person from any triggers, you are too careful not be be a trigger yourself, it’s just a lot to navigate.
You often will be operating from a place of fear thinking you are helping whereas you are making things worse for them. So, you must first understand a few things about suicide survivors for you to make them feel safe and accepted.
These are strategies suggested by mental health experts that one can implement in support of a suicide survivor, you can do these without any offence.
Open communication about suicide
According to the Canadian Association For Suicide Prevention (CASP), suicide shouldn’t be considered a disgusting or bad thing to talk about. Instead, it is a real occurrence, and the value of having candid conversations about suicide is essential for helping those who have attempted suicide. CASP further states that attempt survivors need a safe space where they can open up about their experiences and thoughts, one that is without judgment and also accepting. “As one survivor of suicide reveals in an article on Every Feminism: “When we don’t have healthy, compassionate conversations about suicide and survival, we ultimately discourage survivors from seeking out support.”
Be patient
One of the most crucial things to keep in mind while helping someone who has survived a suicide attempt is patience says the publication in question. Survivors of suicide attempts could require different resources at different periods. They might want to spend one day in complete solitude and the next wanting to be surrounded by people. “Remember that they are doing the best they know how to in that very moment, and remind yourself that in the life of a suicide attempt survivor living moment to moment is a pretty big deal.” CASP also states that you honour the choices of suicide survivors and follow up often to find out if they need a buddy.
Avail yourself to them
The Suicide Prevention Initiative of the University of Arizona advises that as someone who wants to support a survivor of a suicide attempt, you don’t have to have the perfect words to say. The most important thing for someone who has survived a suicide attempt is your support. The above initiative states that is required for you to be present with an open heart and ears, without any specific knowledge of what to say or comprehend. “Let them know you’re glad they’re still here, that you care, and that you want to support them.”
Also see: How to help a self harming teenager
