In my experience steps post an attempt are almost set in stone. My attempt in 1996 and several episodes that clearly were not attempts but were approaching them, all had these steps as a process, so lets look at them.
Someone's first true attempt at taking their own life is a harrowing occasion, it's a time when logic is removed.
SURVIVE
To think about survival during this period is to have logic remaining as part of your thoughts so that is asking a lot in these circumstances. However, in future attempts (or thoughts) the presence of logic might be there if you realise that you need to think that way. We are talking prevention so we need to find ways to prevent going down to the attempt stage.
CHANGE (your environment)
During an experience whereby I was approaching an attempt and obviously very upset I knew I needed help. So as I always suggest- change ones environment, I walked and headed towards our local GP surgery where I told the receptionist "I need help"... and got it immediately.
You might need to change your accommodation, partner status... anything to avoid the direction you were travelling down.
RECOVER
Time is a master but time cannot be rushed. It could be a grief period you are going through and we all know that it takes time to process that and there is no answer to that except forced distraction like a sport, hobby, company of others, therapy groups and so on. Those activities keep you grounded to your normal life activities that keep reminding you what life was like before the spiral. Emotional trauma isnt a nice place to exist so within us is the survivor that really doesnt want to be there. Forcing yourself to break through from that distraught place is needed. Get up and walk... do anything! Walk around the block, stare at the bees, smile at a stranger... anything.
REFLECT
Once recovery is in progress you'll feel better and this is where you can look back on those days/weeks/months where you know you were at risk. You know it wasnt a place you'll want to repeat and it is only you that can prevent that. Reflecting is a natural way of recovering the same as animals reflect upon a conflict with another dangerous animal. It is not unhealthy to reflect.
AVOID
28 years on I still avoid going down that path to an attempt. I dont talk about the actual act, its too traumatic. However the positive is that I know my limits and I know the process I force myself to carry out as in the steps above
Avoidance is the roadblock. U-turn to see life's beauty
TonyWK
