Finding Purpose And Happiness After Recovery From Suicide Ideation

Although most individuals who experience suicidal thoughts will never attempt suicide and the majority of those who survive a suicide attempt will neither re-attempt nor die by suicide, little is known about salutary outcomes among previously suicidal individuals. The present study examined levels of happiness and meaning in life among 997 US military personnel, of whom 23% had experienced suicide ideation and 4% had made a suicide attempt during their lives. Happiness and meaning in life were significantly reduced among participants with a history of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors. Happiness and meaning in life were significantly higher among those participants whose last suicidal thought was further in the past. In less than 1 year after their last suicidal thought, the majority of previously suicidal participants reported average to above average happiness and meaning in life.