Inspiring Quotes About Suicide to Raise Awareness and Hope
Real quotes from those who’ve faced suicidal thoughts and found a way forward—offering insight, hope, and strength to keep going.
Sometimes what we need most is proof that recovery is possible.
Struggling with suicidal thoughts? Find practical tips in our Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts article, or visit Getting Immediate Help for crisis support and emergency resources.
- Quotes from Men Who’ve Lived with Thoughts of Suicide
- Turning Back From the Edge Of Suicide
- Quotes From Men Who Survived a Suicide Attempt
I was 22 when I tried to end my life. I’m now 38. If I hadn’t survived, I would’ve missed out on my chance to recover and experience so many meaningful moments.
Too many men feel beyond help when facing suicidal thoughts. It’s hard to think clearly in that state, especially when you don’t know anyone who’s made it through. But you are not alone.
Through HeadsUpGuys, I have the opportunity to share not only my story, but also those of many other men who have faced similar challenges.
Real Quotes To Stop Suicide
This article brings together honest quotes from men who’ve lived with suicidal thoughts, stepped back from the edge, or (like me) survived a suicide attempt. Each quote is tied to a personal story with turning points, practical tips, and what helped them find a way forward.
These stories are proof that there is hope, even when it feels impossible. And that the work it takes to heal is worth putting in.
It’s a message men need to hear, as we’re often taught to keep pain to ourselves, to “man up” or “put your head down and plough through”. This leads to fewer men seeking support and is part of why men account for up to 75% of suicide deaths every year. Yet, many suicides stem from treatable issues like depression or addiction.
The right words at the right time can be powerful. Sometimes, they’re enough to help someone hold on, reach out, or take the next step toward recovery.
Quotes from Men Who’ve Lived with Thoughts of Suicide
These quotes are from men who have struggled with ongoing thoughts of ending their lives, yet found ways to get their thoughts and lives back under control.
“I had long struggled to understand my purpose… it took hitting complete rock bottom and daily thoughts of suicide for me to acknowledge [that I needed to make changes to get better].”
Burke shares how opening up, staying active, and finding joy helped him get back on track.
“I had gotten to the point where I was suicidal every day for six straight years… On that day, I made a choice. The choice to live, the choice to get better for my son, the choice to get better for me.”
Justin shares how finding his ‘why’ helped turn his life around.
“Suicidal thoughts may promise a way out, but do not take an irreversible action when you’re at your lowest – things will get better.”
Ryan shares how facing suicidal thoughts and dark times taught him to take things one day at a time.
“I didn’t know what to do, I felt absent from my role as a father and husband and started thinking horrible things, had suicidal thoughts and felt broken and alone…
Don’t give up on yourself, you are more resilient than you think — asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.”
David shares his story of recovering from post-natal depression, and what helped him.
“I moved to Canada at the age of 14, and for the first year here I was depressed, a shell of who I was, and suicidal.
That first step to getting help and reaching out to my parents changed my life.”
Nicholas reflects on how opening up to his parents and friends helping him recover.
“I thought my family would be better off without me. Suicide felt like the only way out. But in a moment of clarity, I checked myself into a psychiatric ward and asked for help… the strongest thing a person can do is ask for support.”
Brian shares how reaching out for help marked a pivotal moment in his journey toward overcoming depression
“I had been struggling with depression for a few years… I didn’t know how to talk about it. And then that night, when I sort of hit this rock bottom and was suicidal, I realized I needed to stop trying to run away from this…
The next day, I finally forced myself to talk about what was going on… [leading] me down a path to get help and to confront a lot of my issues.”
Kevin shares how reaching out after a dark moment led him to overcome his depression.
“I felt my only option was to leave this world, as hurting those around me by leaving my work, family, and friends or changing myself seemed worse than leaving this life…
That was the last night my mind thought it was the end.”
Kris shares how a moment of clarity under thestars became a turning point in his journey.
Get Help: Feeling overwhelmed and unsafe with yourself? Learn how to Get Immediate Help for crisis support and emergency resources.
Turning Back from the Edge of Suicide
These quotes are from men who faced intense suicidal thoughts, even going so far as to make plans on how to end their lives.
They courageously share what helped them to reach out and take steps toward getting support and feeling like themselves again.
“I found myself standing at the top of a cliff in Sydney harbour considering suicide. Slumping back from the cliff, I finally saw myself clearly for the first time and what a mess I was in… I reached out for help from counselors, family, friends, medication, and am hugely grateful and thankful for all of them.”
Oliver reflects on a pivotal moment that led him to seek help and begin his recovery journey.
“At the end of 2010, I set a date I would take my life. But when the date finally came, I instead felt an enormous freedom… It was the first time (in a long time) that I accepted the moment for what it was, rather than resist it because it wasn’t what I wished it would be. That started a journey of self-discovery for me.”
Gogan reflects on a pivotal moment that sparked his journey toward self-discovery and recovery.
“I was driving back to the office… as I drove down a fairly steep hill, I thought ‘If I just took my foot off the brake, I could steer into oncoming traffic and kill myself.’ That was when I realized I was in bad shape.
Instead of turning right to go back to the office, I turned left and went to the hospital.”
Jonathan shares how confronting his depression and seeking professional assistance were crucial steps in his recovery journey.
“I had a plan to end my life, but I realized I didn’t want to die – I just didn’t want to hurt anymore. Asking for help and reaching out was the first step to healing.”
After staying in his basement for nearly a year, Rich was eventually able to build himself back up to be able to talk to his friends, family, a doctor, and then a psychologist on his journey to getting better.
Quotes From Men Who Survived a Suicide Attempt
These are firsthand quotes from men who survived a suicide attempt.
They speak honestly about what led them there, what helped them through, and how they’ve worked toward healing and rebuilding the meaningful life they now enjoy.
The first is a quote from a post sharing my experiences and lessons learned from managing suicidal thoughts.
“I was incredibly lucky to survive my suicide attempt – lucky to recover from my injuries and to be given a second chance to heal from depression. Most importantly, I was lucky to learn that I was wrong —that the pain wasn’t permanent, and that I was not beyond recovery.”
Josh shares how surviving a suicide attempt became a turning point in his recovery from depression.
“I had a traumatic episode as a teenager during a drug overdose. I essentially suffered a psychotic breakdown and tried to kill myself… but then buried it, until it all opened up in just the last five years.”
Matthew shares how the most important step in his recovery was talking about it, and using music as an outlet to express his experiences.
“The turning point for me was after a suicide attempt. I realized that I was sick and needed to do something about it. Even though it was difficult at first, I began to open up to my close friends about my struggle and realized that I wasn’t alone.”
Noah shares how therapy—and recognizing how undiagnosed ADHD was impacting his life—helped him regain control of his mental health.
“In 2010, I survived a suicide attempt. I lay paralyzed on the floor of my kitchen in my small apartment watching the world fade away. I wanted to die…
[Though Russel survived an attempted overdose, it was after his brother’s suicide that he really began to turn his life around] …It hit me that I didn’t want to die. I just didn’t want to hurt anymore.”
Russel shares how realizing his unresolved trauma was affecting his kids pushed him to seek support and start unpacking it with a therapist.
“In May 2020, the pressures of life got on top of me and without seeing an end to the daily battles and torment in my mind, I attempted to take my life and almost died.
I was resuscitated a number of times and on life support in a coma for three days. If it wasn’t for the quick response and dedication of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Emergency Services I wouldn’t be here today.”
Joshua shares how spending time in nature—through walks and exploring—helped him reconnect with the world and find value in life.
Quotes to Help Stop Suicide: Key Takeaways and Next Steps
Each of these stories illustrates a unique path toward healing, but they all share one important message: you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
Suicide prevention starts with reaching out, find the courage to talk about your mental health, and knowing that it’s okay to ask for support. It then continues through all the small moments of everyday life and resisting the urges to give in to thoughts of hopelessness. It requires a committed effort to get better, and though there may still be difficult times, there is always hope.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out. There is help available, and things can get better, no matter how dark it may feel. Remember, you matter, and there is hope even in the hardest of times.
For immediate support, contact a crisis helpline near you.