How does one continue with life after attempting to commit suicide? How do you try to live a “normal” life after such a traumatizing action?

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 44,193 people commit suicide every year. For every death by suicide, 25 people attempt to take their own life. That is equivalent to over one million people trying to commit suicide every year in the United States.

Jess Freda, a senior at Buffalo State College shares her past experience with attempting to commit suicide. Freda bravely admits that not only did she try to take her life once, but twice.

“The first time I attempted to take my life I was in eighth grade,” Freda states. “I had been bullied very severely for about six years at the time, and I just felt like it wasn't going to get better. I was being harassed day after day by people I didn't even know and people I even considered to be my friends.”

Freda was being bullied by people who misled her to believe they actually wanted to get to know her. While middle school can be a difficult time already for girls, Freda felt more isolated from the rest of her class. This led to the first attempt on her life.

“One day I was in my bathroom at home and I just started rummaging through the cabinet for pills and I grabbed the strongest thing I could find,” she states. “I went to take one and I collapsed on the floor in tears. My parents found out about the incident two days later and I was taken to the hospital for evaluation. I wish I could say things got better after that point, but the bullying continued and even became physical. I just decided to be more open about what was going on at school with my family and faculty instead of hiding it.”

Freda managed to work through the bullying, and got through high school. However, there came a time again where she began to feel depressed, and another attempt on her life was made.

“To this day, I still don't understand what really happened,” Freda expresses. “I felt myself deteriorating for months mentally, but I didn't care. I was cutting myself off from everybody. I was just staying in my room and sleeping all day and night. I was someone that nobody recognized anymore. I didn't even recognize me, but I was so deep into my depression that I just didn't think there was a point to get out of it.”

“All I really remember is being on the floor of my bathroom with a bottle of pills in my hand and a razor on my leg. According to my roommate at the time, she said I was extremely out of it - like I wasn't even there. Next thing I knew, I was in an ambulance on the way to the hospital and was admitted into the women's mental health ward for two days.”

You are left to wonder what happened next in Jess’ life after her suicide attempts.

“When I was admitted, I was put on medication to calm my anxiety and help with my depression,” Freda recalls. “I instantly noticed a change in myself after taking them for a while. I didn't feel like I was so out of it all the time and I felt myself being able to breathe for once.”

Freda offers advice to anyone who feels like they have no reason to live anymore.

“My advice would be to talk about it,” she states. “It's one of the hardest things to do, but it's one of the most beneficial. Whether it's to a family member, a friend, a teacher, a classmate - anyone. Take advantage of those crisis and suicide hotlines. What I've learned is that all it takes is one person, no matter who it is, to listen. It really makes all the difference.”

Zachary Bochenski, a crisis counselor for a nonprofit organization he founded named WORTH, speaks on the topic of suicide prevention.

“Keep going, the thoughts of the day may never go away but you have a reason to keep pushing and keep moving,” he states. “You’re breathing, you got friends and family that care about you, so if you are stuck talk to them or reach out for help again because you have such a bigger purpose on this earth then you can imagine.”

Many people who are suffering from depression fail to see the reasons why they should be alive. Unfortunately, many people attempt to commit suicide, and are successful. However, there is a message for the people who have tried taking their life, and survived the incident. Do you wonder, how am I supposed to go on with life after this? What happens now?

The answer is: you survived, and now have a second chance to experience all of the beautiful things life has to offer. Use this second opportunity at life to live it to the fullest, and remember there is always someone who will be there for you when you need them the most.

Never give up.