What happens when someone survives a suicide attempt and chooses to share their story out loud?
In this powerful episode, Jeannine Rivers opens up about her experience with depression, bipolar disorder, and a suicide attempt that nearly ended her life at 19. She reflects on the voices—both dark and life-saving—that shaped her choice to keep living, and the gratitude she feels today for surviving.
With honesty, courage, and hope, Jeannine challenges the stigma around mental illness, reclaims her identity beyond her diagnosis, and shares how she built a life filled with meaning, creativity, and love.
This conversation offers vital lessons for anyone who has struggled with suicidal thoughts or loves someone who has. It’s a reminder that survival is not failure—and that there is always reason to hold on.
Primary Topics Covered:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
01:25 - Small acts of kindness as suicide prevention
01:39 - Introducing Jeannine and her journey
02:54 - Why sharing suicide attempt stories matters
03:17 - Jeannine opens up about stigma and depression
04:37 - Being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder
05:57 - Identity vs. diagnosis: “I am not bipolar disorder”
07:25 - Jeannine shares her suicide attempt at 19
08:50 - Choosing survival: shifting from failure to survivor
09:59 - The pain of isolation and believing no one cared
10:09 - Recalling the moment she woke up after her attempt
11:49 - Making it to safety and being found in time
12:29 - Gratitude for survival and what came after
13:36 - Reflection on second chances and resilience
14:03 - Achievements that would never have happened without survival
15:07 - The power of inner voices: destructive vs. life-saving
16:31 - Closing message of hope and encouragement
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