Mental health disorders can be hard to measure, diagnose and recover from. Unlike when you break your arm, you can't get detailed X-rays of someone's pain or determine that they are completely 'healed.' There are conditions that make people at a higher risk of attempting suicide, such as depression, but it can happen to anyone. In 2017, there were an estimated 1,400,000 suicide attempts in the U.S and 47,173 Americans died by suicide.
Attempting suicide once puts someone at higher risk for doing it again, but on this Bored Panda list, you will see photos from people who found happiness after surviving their attempt. One important way that an attempt survivor can reduce future suicidality is to attempt to change their perspective, and through their hopeful messages, you will see these people are on the right path. Scroll down below to see some inspiring survivors and upvote your favs.
#1
My boyfriend and I met a year ago in a mental hospital after we had both attempted suicide. Today we're celebrating one year of not being dead
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287points
#2
9 years ago I was suicidal and ready to die, now I’m my week old son’s favourite place to fall asleep.
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284points
#3
Two years ago I attempted suicide and was in the hospital for 5 months. The doctors told me I would stay in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. Today, I am riding a bike by the river during my visit to Japan
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254points
#4
I struggled for the past 7 years with depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts that put me into a mental institution multiple times. This last year I've greatly improved myself physically and mentally, and I just graduated and got my bachelor's degree. Never thought I'd live to see this point
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246points
#5
A year ago I was suicidal. Being trans is so difficult, and I thought there was no way I’d be able to pass not continue after being berated constantly for being trans. But here I am, happy as ever, working an amazing job, and now completely covered for surgery that I need. Stay motivated.
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222points
#6
I was married to a man who wouldn't let me improve myself so I would stay weak. After a botched suicide, three years of hard work and a lot of therapy I ran my first race and placed 3rd!
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218points
#7
Life after suicide attempt. Survivor of mental, physical, sexual and alcohol abuse and even after all that I found light at the end of the tunnel, so you can too
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200points
#8
Photo I took an hour ago and the other photo - 21 months ago, different that day. About 1 hour after that photo was taken I attempted suicide. Now why do I share my journey daily? Because I show that change is possible. Look at me hiding behind that smile 21 months ago
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195points
#9
I never planned to make it to 18. I attempted suicide when I was 14, then 15, and then again at 17. But I’m here, I'm alive, I'm 18. This is the beginning of the rest of my life. This day is truly a celebration of my life. I'm so glad I'm alive
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178points
#10
It's a powerful feeling when things come full circle in your life.
Four years ago, a very broken me walked the bridge over I-90, every morning at 3 AM, ready to jump. Today a thriving new version of myself stood on that very bridge trying to remember that girl who'd gotten so hurt and lost.
All I can say is, don't believe the lie 'it gets easier', because truth is, it doesn't. You get stronger, and eventually become a warrior, able to share your scars to be a light to someone else
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170points
#11
After struggling my whole life with depression and suicide, I graduated high school, got married, got a baby, and joined the military all in one year
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167points
#12
A year ago today I suffered a spinal injury. I nearly died, I spent months paralyzed in bed, I’ve had my heart broken, I attempted suicide. Now look at me, one year on. I don’t just survive - I thrive. My God is good
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162points
#13
On the anniversary of my suicide attempt, I saw my all-time favorite band perform live. Life is amazing now and I have never been so happy to be alive
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159points
#14
Three years ago I attempted suicide because of my chronic depression and a traumatic experience. Now I'm about to graduate high school and as of yesterday I'm three years clean of self-harm
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154points
#15
Anorexia recovery. Suicide survivor. I care because I know the hurt - and I share because I know the fight is worth it
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154points
#16
I could've ended up as another number in the statistics of teen suicide. Today you'll rarely find me without a smile. You guys saved a life. Thank you
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148points
#17
A year and a half ago I spent my 16th birthday in a mental hospital on suicide watch. Now I’ve been accepted to college, have a wonderful girlfriend, a job I’m loving and can enjoy a Christmas with my family. I started living for what make me happy and not for what others said should make me happy
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143points
#18
One year ago today, I was in a coma after my third suicide attempt in three months. Today I’m with the love of my life who keeps me laughing through thick and thin, and I’m a year free of self-harm! It is wonderful to be alive
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137points
#19
Behind this smile there was pain, behind this degree there is a smile.
I'm suicide survivor, diagnosed with major anxiety and moderate depression. But I’m graduating with a 3.7 and a degree in psychology, this only the beginning
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132points
#20
At risk of sounding vapid, I'm happy at how genuinely content I look in these pictures from tonight. 3 weeks ago I was suicidal & depressed, today my friends got me outta bed and dressed up, smiling and confident for the first time in a long time.
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121points