How do you get through a suicidal attempt?

Question

My husband attempted suicide yesterday and now doesn't want to see me. I'm really confused. I want to be there for him and help him through it but I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

i think he may be ashamed of what he did.

i used to self injure, and im ashamed of it everyday. i dont even want my own family to see it.

all you can do is be there for him, dont criticise or put him down about it. let him know that you will always be there for him and that he can talk to you about his feelings anytime he wants.

Answer 2

dont let go and be a fighter along with him. make hi see that there is a whole life ahead of him and that if he does go through with this he is going to be taking alot of people with him

Answer 3

stay strong and let him get so help, people who attempt suicide is crying out for help, so that's good hes getting help, people who do commits suicide don't cry out for help the just do it,,,, just be very understanding and and stay positive,,,, this will pass

Answer 4

People that are so depressed that they want to die become very withdrawn from everybody. Please don't take it personally, it's just the depression. All they want to do is be left alone. I know, i've been there. The kind of help he needs right now, unfortunately you can't give him. I hope both of you feel better soon, hugs ;-)

Answer 5

talk to his doctor...Actually he needs you more nowadays but if you does not want you  see you, then do not be stand somewhere where that he can see you.But always be near to him indirectly.

Answer 6

I am so sorry.  My father killed himself and it is very hard for me.  Perhaps when your husband feels better he will want to interact with you.  You might think of telling him to call you when he is ready to talk.  You might want to get a counsellor for yourself because it is nice to have someone just for you looking out for your needs during this difficult time.  Things will be a great deal about your husbands needs for quite a while.  I know you have needs too especially when you have a young baby.  See if you can spend more time with your friends and family.

Answer 7

sorry to hear that. Just be with him when he wants that u have to feel when he wants u when he dont.. Womens are normally very strong then men. so u are strong. keep faith in urself n god. Everybad time comes stay for a while n go. its just God sent them to test our will power. n i m sure u have strongest will power u will conquer any problem. be friendly with ur hubby. dont force anything to him. listen to his prblms like a good frnd. talk to him. spend time with him . he need someone who can understand his mental state. go out togater. try for movies. watch Tv togater. n just be normal like everything is good. nothing to panic...

Ur are strong n u can make this bad time run out of ur home very soon

All the best  :) take good care of urself

Answer 8

I went through the same thing with my husband in May.  We have two little girls.  My husband felt really bad after he did it.  He was afraid of my anger for what he did and ashamed of how he hurt us.  After the attempt, he was hospitalized for several days.  It was so hard for me being home alone with the girls and having noone as a real support.  We didn't tell a lot of people, for fear of the stigma and how they would treat us during his recovery.  I think it was good to be choosey in who we told and how much we told, but don't alienate yourself.  I had to be so strong for our girls-- and it was 2 months before I could really break down about it.  I still choke back the tears when a new hospital bill comes.

I am now in therapy for myself, because I realized I had no idea how to handle all that I was feeling about what happened.  I knew I was no good to my husband or children while I was putting on a facade of strength -- eventually you will break down.  I also have some anger and fear over what happened (and what if it happened again?!).  I don't feel like I can share this with my husband right now, as he is still in a place of recovery..  So having the therapist has given me a safe outlet for sharing my own feelings, venting, and getting direction on where to go and how to handle things.

The best thing you can do for him now is make sure he knows you love him.  You can talk about what happened later, but now, he just needs your love.  Write him a letter if he can't see you, or just pray for him.  You also need to find someone for yourself.  He will be admitted into a Mental Health facility, usually for a minimum of 3 days, as soon as he is physically stable.  There they will evaluate him and start him on medication and therapy.

Use this time to prepare yourself.  Be selfish, see a therapist as often as your insurance will allow-- everyday if you can during that time.  Build a network for your own support, be it a pastor, friends, stephens ministers or someone from an agency that deals with depression.  Take care of yourself-- so you can take care of baby and be a good partner for your husband.

My husband is doing a lot better-- he still breaks down on bad days and has difficulty with some situations.  But our life together is much better than it was.  I think I appreciate him more now that I have had a glimpse of life without him.  I know it will take a while to get to "normal" for our family (finding the best meds and time in therapy) but I want you to know that there is light at the end of this very dark tunnel.  

One last thing, I felt guilt over his depression.  I still do and fight it everyday at some point.  Know that you did not cause his depression or make him attempt suicide-- and you can not cure him.  This is an internal battle within himself, all you can do is let him know he is loved and read all you can on depression to better understand his daily battle.  There is power in knowledge...