How to Save a Life: Vital Clues From Men Who Have Attempted Suicide

Abstract

Male suicide rates are high and rising, and important insights can be gleaned from understanding the experiences of men who have attempted suicide. Drawing from a grounded theory photovoice study of diverse Canadian men, three intertwined thematic processes were derived: (a) preceding death struggles, (b) life-ending attempts and saving graces, and (c) managing to stay alive post suicide attempt. Preceding death struggles were characterized by cumulative injuries, intensifying internalized pain, isolation, and participant’s efforts for belongingness in diminishing their distress. Men’s life-ending attempts included overdosing and jumping from bridges; independent of method, men’s saving graces emerged as changing their minds or being saved by others. Managing to stay alive post suicide attempt relied on men’s acceptance that their mental illness was unending but amenable to effective self-management with professional mental health care. The findings offer vital clues about how male suicide might be prevented.