Suicide and AnxietySuicide and Anxiety
Life Recovery Today with Stephen Arterburn
Stephen Arterburn talks candidly about suicide and anxiety, sharing stories, statistics, and faith-based tools aimed at offering hope and practical help. He explains how delaying impulsive decisions, reducing access to lethal means, and treating anxiety can support a healthier recovery journey.
26:50•27 Apr 2026
Suicide, Anxiety and Recovery: Stephen Arterburn Talks About Holding On One More Day
Episode Overview
- Enabling can keep someone from seeking treatment; stopping enabling behaviour may be the turning point in their recovery.
- Suicidal feelings are often about wanting pain to end rather than truly wanting to die, and delaying action by “not doing it today” can save a life.
- Loved ones can reduce suicide risk by limiting access to lethal means and by offering steady listening, care, and compassion.
- Anxiety shows up in many forms—general anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive patterns, phobias, and social anxiety—and can often be treated effectively with therapy and appropriate medication.
- Recovery is about growth and character-building, using biblical 12-step principles, rather than simply stopping a destructive behaviour.
“Are you wanting to kill yourself? Fine. Just don’t do it today.”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of *Life Recovery Today with Stephen Arterburn* tackles two of the heaviest issues many people face in recovery: suicidal thoughts and crippling anxiety. Speaking directly and compassionately, Stephen Arterburn talks about why some people reach a point where they “don’t really want to die, they just want the pain to stop.” He shares real-life stories of suicide attempts that were unexpectedly interrupted, highlighting how many who survive never try again.
His practical suggestion? If you’re suicidal, tell yourself: “Are you wanting to kill yourself? Fine. Just don’t do it today.” That simple, daily delay can be life-saving.
The episode also looks at what loved ones can do: locking up firearms and ammunition separately, taking suicidal comments seriously, and, most importantly, being “the person that can listen, care, and offer compassion.” You’ll hear how even a phone call from someone in distress led to an ambulance, a life saved, and later gratitude. Stephen then shifts to anxiety, unpacking different forms like generalised anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive patterns, phobias, and social anxiety.
He admits his own panic attack story—begging strangers to take him to hospital, convinced he was dying—showing that even seasoned helpers are not immune. He points to treatment, medication that adjusts brain chemistry, and counselling as valid, often highly effective options, especially for those who self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. Throughout, the message is grounded in biblical 12-step principles: recovery is “about building, stepping, moving, and growing,” not just stopping a behaviour.
If you or someone you care about is weighed down by despair or anxiety, this episode offers practical ideas, faith-based encouragement, and a reminder that there is always another option besides giving up. Who in your life might need you to listen, ask a hard question, or simply help them make it through today?
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