Hope After a Suicide Attempt: Jeannine’s Powerful Story of Survival and Healing

When Jeannine Rivers was 19, she attempted suicide. She expected to never wake up—but she did. In that moment of panic and realization, she discovered something profound: she didn’t actually want to die. She just wanted the pain to stop.

Now, decades later, Jeannine shares her powerful survivor story—from her diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder to the voice that told her to get up and live, and the life she built because she survived those 15 critical minutes.

This conversation, part of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, is raw, real, and filled with hope. Dr. Anita Sanz and Terry reflect with Jeannine on the stigma of mental illness, the importance of language in how we talk about suicide, and the reminder that life is worth holding onto, even when depression tells you otherwise.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is available—and survival is possible.

Jeannine's website: https://www.jeanninerivers.com/

Primary Topics Covered:

• The stigma of living with depression and bipolar disorder
• Why diagnoses don’t define people
• Jeannine’s suicide attempt and the moment she realized she wanted to live
• The shift from “failure” to “survivor” language in talking about suicide
• The 15 minutes that saved her life—and everything she went on to accomplish
• The role of faith, resilience, and meaning-making in recovery
• Dr. Sanz’s reflection: how depression disconnects people from self-worth
• Practical reframing questions for those struggling with hopelessness
• The importance of attention, help, and crisis resources like 988
• Why persistence matters when reaching out for support

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro and framing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month  
01:09 Introducing Jeannine Rivers and her survivor story  
02:18 Why Jeannine shares her attempt openly now  
03:12 Stigma and misunderstanding around depression and bipolar  
05:02 Jeannine’s diagnosis of Bipolar II disorder in 2003  
06:08 “I am not my diagnosis”: separating identity from illness  
07:22 Jeannine’s suicide attempt at age 19  
08:39 Shifting language: from “failure” to “survivor”  
09:56 Jeannine recalls the day of her attempt  
11:45 The voice that urged her to get up and survive  
12:20 The hospital stay and the 15 minutes that saved her life  
13:32 How survival made way for music, family, and purpose  
14:59 Jeannine’s career and life achievements since surviving  
15:52 Reflections on worth, depression, and disconnect  
17:01 Dr. Sanz on reframing questions: “If I were worthy, what would I seek?”  
18:31 Barriers to getting help: shame, cost, and worthiness  
20:26 Crisis resources: the importance of calling 988 (or local hotlines)  
22:08 Final reflections: “Get to the door. Open it.”  
23:23 Closing encouragement and resources  

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