Real Men Feel: Ep. 289, Life After A Suicide Attempt | Sharing Lived Experiences

Life After A Suicide Attempt | Sharing Lived Experience Episode 289, February 10, 2023

Before we get going, I want to warn everyone that we will discuss suicide attempts today. If you are in crisis right now – please get help.

Text or call 988 in the US. Help is available 24 hours a day. For other countries, visit https://findahelpline.com/ for options near you.

The goal of this episode is that our shared experiences as suicide attempt survivors offers hope and encouragement to others, to you. We also want to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.

The World Health Organization estimates that 800,000 people die by suicide each year. That number is undoubtedly underreported.

In 2020, it is estimated that 1.2 million people attempted to end their life, and what isn’t talked about enough is that millions of people go on to live full, healthy lives after attempts.

My guest today is Herbie Mack. Herbie was born and raised in the South Bronx of New York, where he saw drug abuse and gang violence and experienced family trauma that caused him depression as a child, teenager, and adult. This led Herbie to become a functional alcoholic for over 11 years due to his inability to express his emotions effectively.

Herbie was unaware of the signs of suicide ideation, which led to him attempting suicide multiple times. After his last attempt and years of healing, he decided not to keep his suicide attempts to himself.

Topics and Questions

2:26 – Why multiple attempts?
3:20 – What were you trying to end?
4:00 – How do you define a suicide attempt?
5:28 – Herbie’s story.
10:43 – Andy’s experience.
13:38 – Forgiveness was the hardest thing.
16:45 – A cry for help.
19:52 – Did you need to experience multiple attempts?
22:03 – How long has it been since your last attempt?
22:17 – Do the thoughts return for you?
23:30 – How do you keep hope and healing after your attempt?
25:06 – What’s the best part of being alive?
26:10 – Any advice for someone who has made an attempt and is alone?
27:40 – Any tips for someone who has found a loved one who made a suicide attempt?
28:40 – Andy’s seven tips following an attempt.
30:42 – The weakest thing.
35:36 – Tell me about your podcast.
37:22 – Herbie asks Andy how his road to recovery was.
43:43 – What’s the best way for people to learn more and connect with you?

Every person’s journey to recovery and healing is unique, but here are some common pieces of advice based on my experiences as a suicide attempt survivor:

Seek help: Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional for support. Talking to someone about your struggles can help you feel less alone and get the help you need.
Practice self-care: I encourage you to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. This can include exercise, meditation, spending time with loved ones, or doing things you enjoy.
Find hope: Things can get better, and I urge you to hold onto hope for a better future. You are alive for a reason. You are not a mistake, and you are stronger than you give yourself credit for.
Connect with others: Build a support network of friends, family, and community. Connecting with others can help you feel less isolated and more connected to the world around you.
Get involved in meaningful activities: Find purpose and meaning in your lives by getting involved in activities you are passionate about. Whether it’s volunteering, pursuing a hobby, or advocating for a cause, finding something that gives you a sense of purpose can help improve your mental health.
Be kind to yourself: Be gentle with yourself, and avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk. Focus on your strengths and accomplishments, and celebrate every bit of your progress, no matter how small.
Remember that recovery takes time: Be patient and give yourself time to heal. Healing is a process, and taking things one day at a time is okay.

Remember, everyone’s journey is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. The most important thing is to find what works for you and continue seeking support and help.

Links

Herbie Mack — https://herbiemack.com/

Book a call with Andy → https://theandygrant.com/talk

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