I didn't see the second choice...what now?
Give yourself a second choice. Thank your loved one for coming to you and acknowledge their courage in doing so. Express your appreciation of their making the second choice, the choice to live. It's okay to talk about the suicide attempt. Talking won't cause them to attempt again. Don't be afraid that you will say something wrong. You can't.
Silence hurts in response to their feelings of isolation, loneliness and worthlessness. They have to believe for themselves that they are not isolated, lonely and worthless. You can however make them aware of their worth through acknowledgement. Please see I vs. You and Acknowledgement.
You can acknowledge them when they have the courage to share with you about their attempt many years ago or months ago. Simply thank them for not pulling the trigger, or getting up off that bed, or for telling someone whatever they did. Thank them for making that courageous second choice and tell them who they are for you right now in your life.
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