sion that leads to a suicide attempt can (NAPSA)—It’s estimated that 1 million people in the U.S. attempt suicide cause you to disconnect from those who care aboutyou orthe things you once enjoyed. Reconnecting with the people and activities you love or loved can provide each year. If you’ve survived a suicide attempt, know that you are not alone. While moving forward may seem nearly impossible, many survivors will tell you that they’re glad they held on and workedfor a betterlife. It can be difficult for survivors to go hope and help youfeel better. Because suicidal thoughts might re- turn, you'll want to be prepared with a plan to stay safe. Developmentofa plan should identify triggers—like events back to their normal routines, homes, schools and workplaces after their at- tempt. It's normalto feel embarrassed by what happenedandfindit difficult to talk to others. This may make youfeelisolat- ed, not knowing whereit’s safe to turn, who youcan talk to or who will possibly understand your pain. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help yourself on your roadto recovery. Read on to learn coping techniques that have helped survivors, as well as free resources and support services available to you. HowDidIt Get to This Point? Terry’s Story The time right after your suicide attempt can be the most confusing and emotional partofyourentirelife. In some ways, it may be even moredifficult than the time preceding your attempt, since it maytake time for negative thoughts and feelings to subside. The important thing is yourestill here, which means you have timeto find healthier and moreeffective ways to cope with your pain. Consider the recovery story of Terry Wise, survivorof a suicide attempt. “Suicide doesn't stand alone. It doesn't just happen as the result of nothing out of nowhere; it’s the result of something,” explains Terry. On the morning of December 25, 2000, Terry tried to kill herself. She awoke two days later in the intensive care unit. The death of Terry’s husband from Lou Gehrig’s disease wasa trigger for her suicide attempt. But also, the attempt was the culmination of years of depression and other problemsthat By providing support and directing help to those who needit, we can preventsuicides. or experiences—that lead to suicidal thoughts and ways to cope if the pain that led to your suicide attempt returns. Finding and working with a counselor can help you start to recover. Unlike front that I had been grappling with my whole life. If you've gone through your life and you've had traumas, or you've had. difficulties or you've had things that you think you have buried and then you have a significantloss or a significant trauma occur later in yourlife as I did with my husband dying, all the things that have been on simmerin yourlife cometo a full boil” Right after Terry tried to kill herself, she felt lost. She didn’t know whatto do. Terry decidedto try therapy, and ultimately it changed herlife. By working with a findtreatment.samhsa.gov. If you would like someone to talk with or help guide you to a local counselor, you may call SAMHSA’ free Na- she experienced when she was younger still affected her emotionsas an adult. Terry’s recovery was a process.It took tion Lifeline is another call center that is open 24 hours a day, every day. It counselor, Terry realized that the trauma time and hard work. Now, Terryis a writ- er and public speaker whose mission is to educate others about suicide preven- tion. Shefinds fulfillment in traveling the country to share her story and help others whoare struggling with suicide. Your path will be different from Terry’s but you can learn ways to cope with negative emotions and enjoylife again. The Road to Recovery As with Terry’s story, recovery of any type takes time and is nevereasy. It’s important to move forward at your own pace and be patient with your recovery. You mayalso consider doing a few of the following strategies to help you heal and ease your transition back to everydaylife. To reduce stress, decide in advance friends or family, a counselor is an unbi- ased listener whois trained to help you sort through yourfeelings and find ways to feel better. One place you can look to find recommended counselors in your area is through a locator tool offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at tional Helpline 24/7 at (800) 662-HELP (4357). The National Suicide Preven- provides free and confidential support by caring, trained and trusted pro- fessionals. To access the service, call (800) 273-TALK (8255) or go to suicide preventionlifeline.org. In addition, there are several free online resources available to help. For starters, SAMHSA’s handbook, “A Journey Toward Health & Hope,” contains tools and stories shared from the recovery of others. For additional informa- tion on suicide, visit www.samhsa.gov/ suicide-prevention. Read more personal stories from survivors by visiting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Stories of Hope and Recovery: https:// suicidepreventionlifeline.org/stories/. As you go through your recovery pro- started in her childhood. Terry was overwhelmed by an intense emotional pain that had been building for years, howto deal with others’ questions about yoursuicide attempt. The people around cess, know that you are not alone, you matter, and life can get better. There are felt like a way to end the pain. Terry says, “My husband's illness and death really became the catalysts that broughta lot of other things to the fore- tempt and have questions or comments about what happened. Thinking about what you might say in advance can help help guide you. Life may be difficult now, but the effort you invest in your recovery will be worth it. Says Terry of her own journey, “IfT were to sum up mylife today, the word that I would use to describeit is ‘fulfilling?I live a very enrichedlife” and when her husband died, the pain became unbearable. For Terry, suicide you maybesurprised by yoursuicideat- you preparefortheir reactions. Re-establishing connections may help youfeel better. Often, the stress or depres- people whocareandresourcesavailable to