Lidia's Story: A Suicide Loss Survivor Speaks Out

Lidia Bernik, former Associate Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, talks about losing her sister Ren to suicide.

[@Cristasphoto]

True most want to live, JUst not with all the pain they feel...

[@em1ly420]

i lost my dad, my best friend on march 15 2010... i never saw it coming, my heart is so broken, i still deal with post traumatic stress due to me finding him.. i miss him so much

[@tgcyndi]

Bless you Lidia, for the fine work you do. The world NEEDS more people to JUST LISTEN. You are SO correct when you say that most suicide victims didn't really want to die, they just wanted the pain to stop. It is so maddening to hear others say "I don't know why he or she killed themself." If people would only PAY ATTENTION, all the signs are usually evident, but our society is so damn self-absorbed that they just rationalize and hide behind a facade of suprised ignorance.

[@13east13raly]

8th grade i was diagnosed with ADHD bipolar and depression this year my mother passed away it is almost the end for me, but ya know like lidia says we do want to live i cant just give up its just the way ifeel

[@988Lifeline]

Thank you Lidia for sharing your story.

[@GeminiAuntie]

I lost my favorite aunt to suicide at the age of 9. I'll never be the same, but hopefully those of us who have gone through it could change the bad into something good that will prevent this from happening to anymore families...RIP Aunt Shirley Sept 28, 1990

[@LP26148]

Lidia... Awesome, important video. Thanks for sharing. ♥♥♥ Gloria ♥♥♥

[@988Lifeline]

@traskjl1 the Lifeline is available to survivors of suicide as well. Thank you for sharing your story- we are so sorry for your loss.

[@sherryanne410]

@Cristasphoto I so agree with your statement. It's how I feel just about everyday for the past few years. I'm getting help and working towards getting better and I understand in my mind that it's a process, but the pain is so unbearable at times.

[@988Lifeline]

@TalkNerdyToMeXxX We're glad you're here. Please know you can call us anytime if you are feeling overwhelmed or hopeless. Thank you for sharing.

[@goldielocks591]

im so sorry to hear about your sister, I know how it feels, it really hurts it never goes away your whole world changes.................................FOREVER. I LOST MY MOTHER 5 YEARS AGO ON FEBRUARY 11TH2006 I MISS HER EVERYDAY. IT HURTS. MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS CHANGED, IT HAS CHANGED ME......FOREVER.

[@988Lifeline]

Our Lifeline counselors are available for survivors too. Please call the Lifeline at 800-273-TALK if you are ever feeling overwhelmed or are in emotional distress. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@988Lifeline]

@Arbiter567 The Lifeline is committed to the confidentiality of callers & upholds this at all times. Your name is not associated with the call. The only potential exception is during any circumstance in which an individual provides consent to share information relevant to their health/safety, is unable to provide consent or is perceived to be at imminent risk of injury/death. Then, the center staff will make every effort to collaborate with callers to send assistance as appropriate.

[@kklil7ward]

This video save my life now i will not killmyself today

[@Arbiter567]

i would call but i don't want the number tracked and people sent to my house. i don't want a record of mental instability.

[@988Lifeline]

@SuperAntiZionist We actually work very hard with callers to maintain the confidentiality of the calls and to ensure the safety of the callers. Our centers only request additional assistance if the caller is unable to assist him or herself. Suicide impacts the entire community and many who have attempted report later that they are glad they survived. You can see our suicide attempt survivor videos on our channel.

[@988Lifeline]

@BeMiiDuckkyPie It's great that you are reaching out and talking about your feelings and we would like to help! Please take the first step in getting help by calling 1-800-273-8255.

[@ghillies4life]

As an answerer of one of those hotlines, I am sorry that you had a bad experience with a hotline. However, I would let you know that some hotlines have less quality than others. Also understand that if you are in a situation where you are in the act of suicide, we are legally obligated to send 911-emergency help. We cannot legally let that happen. If you are just high-risk, they should have not done that, but are legally obligated to offer to do that and encourage you to seek medical help.

[@988Lifeline]

@TheGothicspirit Hi, thank you for sharing. Please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 if you are struggling. Calls are confidential and our workers are available 24/7.

[@988Lifeline]

@sasuke1on1 You can reach us via email on our website under contact. Please note though that it can take up to 24 hours for a counselor to reach you via email. Please do reach out if you need help. You are not alone.

[@SuzzyStohelit]

How do I flag a personal comment made to me by a young woman who is suicidal? I barely" know" her-she is 16 and lives in Sweden. I called the hot line number but because she is in another country there is little they can do. I am very concerned.

[@988Lifeline]

@OncologistBound Hi, you can call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Our counselors are available 24/7 and can help connect you to local resources. You are not alone.

[@TheOmegaParadigm]

@800273TALK My aunt caught suicide when she was only 37. There was nothing we could do to prevent her from catching it. So sad.

[@988Lifeline]

@trumpetplayer529 Lidia's sister died by suicide.

[@988Lifeline]

@toontown633 please call us at 1-800-273-8255. Counselors are available 24/7 and calls are confidential. You are not alone.

[@trumpetplayer529]

How did she kill herself?

[@988Lifeline]

@ashlynn5625 Please call us at 1-800-273-8255. Counselors are available 24/7 and calls are confidential. You are not alone.

[@988Lifeline]

@sanctusinstitute Hi, a suicide impacts the entire community. If you are feeling hopeless or struggling, please do call us at 1-800-273-8255. Calls are confidential and our counselors are available 24/7 to speak with you and connect you to local resources.

[@988Lifeline]

@hardcoreuploads101 please call us at 1-800-273-8255. A suicide impacts the entire community. Calls are confidential and our workers are available 24/7. You're not alone

[@sasuke1on1]

I can't call. I don't have a phone. I'm Bipolar though....I can't make up my mind! One moment I dont care. Next thing I know I'm about to take a bunch of pills....help?

[@988Lifeline]

@trumpetplayer529 Lidia's sister died by suicide.