Do you see people differently after finding out about there suicide attempt?

[rainynight11]

When someone you know has had a suicide attempt, does it forever change how you see them? How does it affect you short term and long term as a friend or a family member of the person who attempted it and survived? I’m glad I’ve never been on the receiving end of it but it does worry me the affects I may have caused on the people who love me due to my past attempt. As a survivor, I do feel embarrassed and guilty for it.

[Croix]

Dear rainynight11~

OK, so the news is out, which is not all bad. An ambulance at the door is a big thing for others to see after all. A friend of mine tried to hide it for a while, it was a strain on her, and trying to keep conversations with her friends steered away from what had happened to her was difficult to say the least. She did not really want to tell them outright lies.

As it became more widely known she said a lot of people did not want to mention it at all, most of the rest were very sympathetic even if they were feeling awkward and not knowing what to say. A couple tended to look down on her, but we both had a pretty poor opinion of them from before - so nothing lost.

Can you just ignore that friend for a while until she gets over her overreaction?

As I mentioned before in my own case I got a couple of good friends out of it all that have really lasted.

Sorry about those neighbours, sadly we can't choose them. I'm very glad you are getting lots of help now, it's what you need.

Croix

[geoff]

Hello rainynight, at first it may seem to be an overreaction, but it's not, it's just a worry you have, and your neighbours who seem to be bullies may have changed their opinion about you and view you differently, that would be good.

So yes, it's very possible people can change after finding out what you have tried to do and become more helpful.

Take care.

Geoff.