In this deeply human episode of Giving Voice to Depression, John, a survivor of a suicide attempt, shares his ongoing struggle with self-forgiveness — and what healing looks like when you’re still learning to forgive yourself.While many conversations about suicide focus on grief or prevention, John opens up about what comes after survival: the guilt, shame, and lingering belief that he doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Despite being forgiven by his family, including his son, John continues to wrestle with self-compassion and self-worth.Through an honest and courageous conversation with hosts Terry McGuire and Bridget, John explores what it means to recover emotionally and spiritually — even when the process is slow, imperfect, and deeply personal.This episode sheds light on the emotional aftermath of suicide attempts and offers gentle encouragement to anyone navigating their own healing: you are not alone, and forgiveness is possible — even if it hasn’t happened yet.Primary Topics Covered:The emotional aftermath of surviving a suicide attemptWhy forgiving yourself can be harder than forgiving othersGuilt, shame, and self-loathing in recoveryHow family support can begin the healing processDeveloping self-compassion through therapy and meditationUnderstanding that recovery isn’t linear — and that “not yet” is still progressPractical insights on living with ongoing suicidal thoughtsThe importance of honest, stigma-free conversations about mental healthTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and hosts 02:13 – John’s story: surviving a suicide attempt and learning to forgive himself 03:06 – Why stories about self-forgiveness after a suicide attempt are rare 04:02 – Guilt, self-loathing, and loss of self-worth 05:14 – How John’s son forgave him — instantly and unconditionally 06:03 – Why self-forgiveness feels harder than accepting forgiveness from others 06:49 – Living with lingering feelings of unworthiness 07:36 – How therapy and psychiatry help manage suicidal thoughts 08:34 – Searching for the “magic tool” for self-compassion 09:13 – Meditation and its role in emotional healing 09:46 – Guilt, shame, and letting go — why all are connected 10:55 – Advice to other suicide attempt survivors: don’t let guilt derail recovery 12:43 – Accepting that forgiveness takes time — and that “not yet” is okay 13:25 – The power of reframing self-talk 14:00 – Learning by speaking: how sharing stories helps healing 15:19 – From self-loathing to self-acceptance: small language shifts that matter 16:28 – The chemistry of self-talk and why kindness changes your brain 17:39 – Closing reflections and resources for self-forgiveness and supportExplore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.comFacebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/