049 Hope for Recovery for Suicide Attempt Survivors

Episode Summary:

• If you’ve ever had suicidal thoughts, have survived an attempted suicide, suffered the loss of a friend or loved one to death by suicide, or experienced depression or anxiety. Join me with my guest, Veronica Sites, as we talk about Hope for Recovery for Suicide Attempt Survivors.
• The Bible tells us in Psalm 34:18 that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
• If you are feeling broken-hearted, crushed in spirit, or perhaps, hopeless, stay with us and listen to the conversation between a board certified clinical neuropsychologist and a first response crisis chaplain. More importantly, we are two individuals who have been there.
• My guest, Veronica Sites, is a first response crisis chaplain. She grew up in a family of first responders. Sadly, she lost a family member to death by suicide. Afterward, the experience caused a shift in how she responded in those situations. Experiencing tragic life experiences brought her to the point where she began to believe some lies that took her down the path to attempt to end her own life by suicide.
• When she woke up she told a friend, “The Lord is going to use this for His glory. You just watch.” That is what has happened!. She now serves as a first response crisis chaplain and tries to educate others about suicide prevention.
• The word success, commit, failed, and complete are dangerous words with respect to suicide. When God brings us through a suicide attempt is not a failure. The enemy will use those words to make the individual feel shame.
• Success is not in death. Success is in who we are in Christ, and how will we respond.
• To commit, means a crime against humanity. God says thou shalt not kill. It is better to say that someone died by suicide or attempted to die by suicide in order to help with healing.
• We have to recognize the power of our words and use them in a sensitive manner.
• Peer support is so important in recovery for survivors and suicide attempt survivors.  Proverbs 17:17 says “A brother is born for a time of adversity.” And “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other” (Proverbs 27:17). When a brother stumbles, we are called to come alongside and pick them up and run the race with them.
• Recognize that relationships are going to change because trust has been broken after a suicide attempt. Every relationship becomes shaken, including their relationship with themselves and the Lord.
• Recent research has found that suicide has to be dealt with in the church because it still remains an elephant in the room. We must be bold and courageous and enter into the conversation. We can’t always refer out to mental health if they aren’t addressing the spiritual foundation or else it won’t be a full continuum of care that is addressed.
• When it comes to suicide, you would much rather ask an individual “Are you thinking about hurting yourself or committing suicide?” than you would have to ask the question “Why didn’t they say anything?” or “Why didn’t I ask them?”
• It’s okay to ask God how we are to get through our most difficult circumstances. When God’s children submit to Him, He will often send us back to give others hope.
• We must be so very careful of the words we speak. When we speak things like “I can’t do this anymore,” we forfeit in the spiritual, and give the enemy an open door to bring havoc into our lives.
• The enemy takes just a seed of truth and twists it to try to deceive us. That is why it is so crucial that we truly know the truth of God’s word.
• Use the truths of God’s word. Meditate on scripture, listen to praise and worship. When the stinking thinking sets in, speak it out and ask the Lord to unpack it like a trunk. He has given us power, love, and a sound mind.

Quotables from the episode:

• The Lord never wastes a hurt.
• God transforms pain that was meant to be destructive into something that can be productive for His namesake and the healing of others.
• People don’t necessarily want to die…they just want the pain to end.
• You are the temple of the living God.
• We can always trust the Lord, even when we don’t know what the outcome is going to be.

Scripture References:

• 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
• Proverbs 17:17 says “A brother is born for a time of adversity.”
• Proverbs 27:17 “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.”
• Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
• 2 Timothy 1:7 "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and (self-discipline. NIV), (NASB - discipling / sound judgement)
• Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Recommended Resources:

• TALK Suicide Hotline [phone]
• Suicide Text Line: 741-741  https://www.crisistextline.org/textline
• Hope Line Suicide Prevention Network [phone]
• Elijah App –helps people struggling to reach their support system with one text
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
• Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/i-have-a-confession-im-a-christian-and-i-was-suicidal/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/the-sadness-behind-suicide/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/suicide-theres-another-way/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/yes-christians-get-depressed-there-is-hope/
•  https://drmichellebengtson.com/this-thing-called-depression-signs-and-symptoms/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/10-verses-of-hope-for-when-you-are-down-or-depressed/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/15-ways-to-help-depressed-husband-wife/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/dear-patient-now-i-understand/
• https://drmichellebengtson.com/5-promises-from-god-to-the-patient-i-didnt-meet/

Social Media Links for Host and Guest:

Connect with Veronica Sites 

• Website: https://www.conflictresolutionspeaker.com/
• FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/conflictresolutionspeaker/
• Twitter link https://twitter.com/VeronicaSites
• Pinterest link https://www.pinterest.com/veronicasites/
• Vimeo link https://vimeo.com/veronicasites
• Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPDc6__zg_pGKmRlhJL_m0Q?

For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:

• To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/
• Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/
• Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson)
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson
• Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/

Guest:

Veronica Sites is a chaplain, motivational speaker, and life coach. Military Gold families have given her the nick name of “The Happy Chappy.” Ministry care ranges from the womb (as a mentor to expectant moms) to the tomb, and coming along side individuals on some of life’s hardest days. Her passion is helping people in places of pain and penetrating hearts with hope and help to empower those seeking freedom and how to navigate traumatic events.