Person walking forward on a woodland path with soft light ahead
You survived. Recovery is possible — one small, supported step at a time.

After a Suicide Attempt (Survivors & Supporters)

Surviving an attempt can bring relief, fear, shame, anger, and confusion — sometimes all in one hour. This page offers immediate safety steps, practical routines for the next days and weeks, clear guidance for supporters, and ways back to meaning. If this is you or someone you love: you are not alone.

1) If you need urgent help

Save these in your favourites and keep them on paper near the bed.

2) The first 72 hours: protective steps

Person sitting by water on a bench, reflective and calm
Early days are for safety and gentle care — not big life decisions.

Medical follow-up

Attend hospital checks and book a GP appointment within a few days. Ask about crisis/home treatment teams and short-term follow-up.

Reduce immediate risk

Lock away medications; keep only small amounts at home; store sharp items safely if relevant. Share this task with a trusted person.

Two safe people

Choose 1–2 people who can listen without judgement. Agree simple check-ins (e.g., morning and evening texts or a call).

Micro-routine

Food, fluids, meds, light movement, outside light. “Good enough” is the target for now.

3) Make a written safety plan (and share it)

Hands with a journal and pen beside a cup of tea
A short plan you can grab at 3am beats a perfect plan you never see.

4) How to talk about it (safe, non-shaming language)

For the person who survived

  • “I had suicidal thoughts and I acted on them. I’m focusing on staying safe now.”
  • “Please don’t ask about methods. What helps is checking in and keeping me company.”
  • “If I say ‘Code Orange’, it means I need a 10-minute call and a walk.”

For supporters

  • “I’m glad you’re here. I’ll follow your plan.”
  • “What might help for the next hour?” (not “Why did you…?”)
  • “Let’s put your crisis numbers on the fridge and in both our phones.”

Media & social

  • Avoid method details and images. Focus on help-seeking and recovery steps.
  • Mute/limit triggering content; take breaks from comment threads.

5) Stabilise the basics (biology first)

6) Neurodiversity: different brains, different pathways

Autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic and other neurodivergent people can process crisis and recovery differently. Plan for the brain you have — not an imaginary “average” one.

Communication

  • Be concrete: “Text at 9am & 8pm” beats “keep in touch”.
  • Scripts help: create short “I need help” and “I’m safe” messages.
  • Offer choices (text/voice/video) and allow extra processing time.

Routines & sensory

  • Use visual lists for morning/evening routines.
  • Have a sensory kit: ear defenders, hoodie/blanket, mints, chew, cold water, fidget.
  • Plan meltdown/shutdown anchors (quiet room, dark glasses, weighted blanket).

Executive function

  • One-click shortcuts: crisis numbers on the lock screen; medication alarms with photos.
  • Externalise tasks: whiteboard or sticky notes with 3 tiny steps/day.
  • Body-double: sit on a call with a friend while you do admin or eat.

7) Guidance for supporters

Two friends on a sofa with tea, one listening attentively to the other
Listening + practical help beats lectures every time.

What helps

  • Be calm, consistent, and specific. “Shall I order food and sit with you for 20 minutes?”
  • Use the person’s safety plan and check-in times.
  • Offer lifts to appointments and help with prescriptions/admin.

What to avoid

  • Interrogation, blame, or ultimatums.
  • Method details or graphic discussions.
  • Doing everything yourself — share care where possible.

Your oxygen mask

  • Sleep, food, movement, and a person you can debrief with.
  • Know your limits; use crisis lines and GP support for yourself too.

8) Therapies & treatments (what to expect)

9) Work, study & daily life

10) Relapse prevention

  1. Review your safety plan monthly; update warning signs/coping steps.
  2. Schedule routine check-ins (supporter + GP/therapist).
  3. Keep means-safety habits (weekly pill organiser, limited supplies at home).
  4. Track early dips (sleep, appetite, isolating) and act early.
  5. Build meaning: tiny weekly goals, volunteering, hobbies, nature time.
Sunlit woodland scene, gentle hope
Recovery is rarely linear. Small, honest steps add up.

Important Note

The information on this page is for general understanding and support. It is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or legal advice. If you feel unable to keep yourself safe or someone else is at risk, call 999 (UK) immediately. If you’re outside the UK, contact your local emergency number.

For non-emergency concerns, consider speaking with a qualified health professional or one of the support services listed above.

← Back to Wellbeing  |  Also see: Suicide Bereavement