Living with Bipolar Disorder and Surviving a Suicide Attempt

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:

• Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and why this story matters
• Jeannine’s early struggles with depression and stigma
• Being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder
• The reality of living with hypomania and depression
• Her suicide attempt at 19 and the moment she realized she wanted to live
• Why language matters: “survivor” vs. “failed attempt”
• How faith, family, and music helped her rebuild her life
• Finding purpose and hope after surviving

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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