Suicide and AnxietySuicide and Anxiety
Life Recovery Today with Stephen Arterburn
Stephen Arterburn addresses suicide and anxiety with personal stories, statistics and faith-based recovery principles. The conversation focuses on safety, delaying impulsive actions, seeking treatment and finding hope through connection and spiritual growth.
28:32•22 Jun 2026
Suicide, Anxiety and the Choice to Hold On One More Day
Episode Overview
- Suicidal urges often peak in a brief, intense window; delaying action by deciding "not today" can save a life.
- Most people who survive a suicide attempt do not go on to die by suicide, suggesting they wanted relief from pain rather than death itself.
- Simple safety measures, such as restricting access to lethal means, can interrupt impulsive decisions.
- Anxiety disorders come in many forms, and both therapy and appropriate medication can significantly reduce symptoms.
- Sharing struggles with a trusted, compassionate person can weaken shame and fear far more than trying to handle everything alone.
“"Are you wanting to kill yourself? Fine. Just don't do it today."”
Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of despair, panic, and the fragile decision to stay alive one more day. "Life Recovery Today" with Stephen Arterburn takes on suicide and anxiety head-on, mixing hard statistics, raw stories, and biblical 12-step wisdom in a way that feels honest rather than preachy. Stephen speaks directly to people who feel crushed by emotional pain, addiction, or relentless worry.
He shares the story of a man planning to jump from the Golden Gate Bridge who never went through with it because he ended up on the wrong side of the bridge, and a woman who pulled the trigger and immediately screamed for help.
He then points out that "people that attempt suicide and it isn't successful, only 10% of them will ever commit suicide," using this to argue that many people don't truly want to die; they just want the pain to stop. He offers simple but practical ideas: delay any suicidal action by saying, "I'm just not going to do it today," make homes safer by separating guns and ammunition, and understand that suicidal thoughts and chronic depression can be treated.
Anxiety gets just as much attention, from general unease and obsessive-compulsive behaviour to panic attacks and social anxiety. Stephen even shares his own humiliating panic attack that landed him in hospital, grounding the topic in his personal experience. The tone is compassionate and direct, aimed at anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, overwhelming anxiety, or addiction, as well as those who love them.
You'll hear repeated reminders that help exists, that medication and therapy can make a huge difference, and that sharing your struggle with someone safe can drain the power from shame and fear. If you've ever thought, "I can't bear this another day," this conversation might be the nudge that helps you hang on and ask for help—could today be the day you tell someone the truth?
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