Recovering from a suicide attempt is not easy but is possible — and you do not have to face it alone.
Surviving such a painful experience can bring up a mix of emotions: relief, guilt, confusion, fear, anger, or even numbness. All of these feelings are valid.
Healing takes time, care and support. This guide offers gentle steps to help you begin that journey toward safety, recovery and hope.
1. Make Safety the First Priority
Are you struggling right now?
If you’re feeling unsafe or experiencing suicidal thinking, please visit the Urgent Help page now to find what actions you need to take.
Immediately after a suicide attempt, go straight to A&E at your local hospital or call 999. It is impossible to know what physical damage could be under the surface until you have been medically assessed by a Doctor.
Once the crisis has passed, talk with someone you trust — a friend, family member, or professional — about creating a safety plan. This might include removing means of self-harm, listing coping strategies, and identifying who to contact in an emergency.
2. Seek Professional Support
A suicide attempt is often a sign of unbearable emotional pain, not a failure. Professional help can make a profound difference.
- Therapists or counsellors can help you understand what led to the attempt and develop new ways to manage distress.
- Psychiatrists or GPs can assess for depression, anxiety, trauma or other mental health conditions and provide treatment options.
- Support groups (online or in person) offer connection with others who have been through similar experiences.
Recovery is rarely a straight line — there may be setbacks and that’s okay. Consistent support helps you stay connected to hope and healing.
3. Take Small Steps Toward Healing
Your body and mind have been through something rough. Give yourself permission to rest and recover.
- Establish a routine: Simple things like eating, sleeping and showering regularly can help restore stability.
- Be kind to yourself: Try to notice moments of self-blame and replace them with gentle understanding. You survived something incredibly painful.
- Set small, achievable goals: Healing might start with getting out of bed, going for a walk or calling a friend. Each step matters.
4. Reconnect and Rebuild
Isolation can deepen despair. Rebuilding connections — even slowly — can help you find meaning again.
- Spend time with people who make you feel safe.
- Engage in activities that bring you even a small sense of calm or purpose.
- If relationships were strained by the attempt, consider involving a therapist in rebuilding trust and communication.
5. Find Meaning and Hope
Many people who have survived suicide attempts later describe a renewed sense of purpose. Hope might not appear right away but it can grow gradually through:
- Volunteering or helping others.
- Creative outlets like art, writing or music.
- Spiritual or community involvement.
- Sharing your story when you feel ready.
You are not defined by your attempt — you are defined by your courage to keep going.
6. Remember: Recovery Is Ongoing
There’s no fixed timeline for healing. Some days will be harder than others. When you struggle, try to remind yourself: you are still here and that means hope is still possible. Reaching out again and again — for help, for connection, for care — is a sign of strength, not weakness.
If You Need Immediate Help
You are not alone. There are people who care deeply about you and want to help you stay safe and find your way forward.
National Crisis Helplines & Information
NHS 111 (Select Mental Health Option)
- Call: 111 and select the mental health option (Option 2 in some areas).
- What it’s for: Urgent mental health support, advice and connection to local crisis services. This is a primary point of contact if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis but are not in immediate physical danger.
- Note: If you are deaf or have hearing loss, use NHS 111 – SignVideo or dial 18001 111 (for Textphone).
Samaritans
- Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
- Email: jo@samaritans.org (Response within 24 hours)
- What it’s for: Confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
Shout Crisis Text Line
- Text: Send the word “SHOUT” to 85258 (Free, 24/7)
- What it’s for: Confidential text-based support if you’re in crisis and need immediate help.
PAPYRUS HOPELINE247
- Call: 0800 068 4141 (Free, 24/7)
- Text: 88247 (Free, 24/7)
- Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
- What it’s for: Support for young people (under 35) struggling with suicidal feelings or anyone concerned about a young person who might be struggling.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
- Call: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight, 7 days a week)
- Webchat: Via their website thecalmzone.net
- What it’s for: Support for men who are down or in crisis.
SANEline
- Call: 0300 304 7000 (4pm – 10pm, 7 days a week)
- Email: support@sane.org.uk
- What it’s for: Emotional support, information and a safe space for anyone affected by mental health problems, their families and carers.
Mind Infoline
- Call: 0300 123 3393 (9am – 6pm, Monday – Friday, except bank holidays)
- What it’s for: General information and signposting to local services for mental health problems.
YoungMinds Parents Helpline
- Call: 0808 802 5544 (9:30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays)
- What it’s for: Support for parents and carers concerned about their child’s mental health.
The Mix
- Call: 0808 808 4994
- Text: Send the word “THEMIX” to 85258
- Email: info@themix.org.uk
- What it’s for: Free, confidential support for young people under 25 on a range of issues, including mental health.