Suicide Attempt Survivor Lisa Larson Shares Her Story

Over 48,000 people died by suicide in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is one death, every 11 minutes. The statistics can be alarming, making it more important than ever to have a conversation around mental health.

Lisa Larson has been sober for 13 years. Her addiction to alcohol and now her sobriety are a story she's been sharing for years.

“I can’t really tell you what triggered all of it. I don’t know what started my alcoholism to where it got to be. It just spiraled, it started with four drinks here or there and then the next thing I know I was 24/7, 365 days of the year for four years,” Larson said. “I spent 30 days in a treatment facility close to Sioux Falls, and sobered up and went through all the necessities as far as AA and doing the things I needed to do.”

Two months later, she relapsed.

'I Felt Like I Let Everyone Down'

“It was an awful night, I felt really down. It was one of the darkest days I’ve ever had in my life and I felt I had let everybody down, my family down, and all the things I had said so highly of myself coming out of treatment, you feel so big and boisterous to accomplish this big thing, but when I got out into the real world it was scary,” said Larson. “I was on some anxiety meds, and I decided taking the anxiety meds would be the best thing for everybody, so I downed them all and I was ready to die,” said Larson.

“Depression makes us feel as though we are a burden to everybody else around us and when you ask me that question, what I think is that, that’s the depression speaking. They are literally convinced that their family would be better off without them and that they are indeed doing their family a favor, and by prolonging things that they truly are just remaining to be a burden to their family,” said Avera Medical Group psychiatrist, Veronica Radigan, MD.

“For people to sit there and say ‘how, Lisa Larson, why would you want to end your life,’ when you get in that dark, lowest point of your life, you really, truly do believe life is better without you and you’re doing them a favor,” said Larson. “And thank goodness it didn’t happen, it didn’t work."

Using Therapy for Best Chance of Success

She was taken to the hospital and eventually spent time at Avera Behavioral Health Hospital, where she received the resources and tools she needed to recover and be successful.

“They provided me skills and tools and other resources that I could use that would help me to stay strong and stay focused on what was important,” said Larson.

“Following hospitalization, we very much so target crisis management, we have a lot of therapy, both individual and group options. We also do a psychiatry evaluation and if treatments are recommended those will be offered to the patient as well,” said Radigan. “Not only are there services that are inpatient, but we also spend a lot of time setting up anything that needs to be done on an outpatient basis as well in order to offer them the best chance at recovery and success.”

Taking It One Day at a Time

“When they say one day at a time, it really is one day at a time, a lot of times it’s one minute at a time. There’s places that I go that trigger back the smells, the feels, the tastes, whatever it is, that could easily just take me right back to that place where I was 13 years ago, but every morning I wake up and just have to prepare myself for those things and be prepared to get away if I need to,” said Larson.

Larson is an avid runner.

“When I run, I feel all of my thoughts get organized. The mental health and physical activity component, together, they connect so well, you find that strength, then you find that confidence, you start feeling good about yourself, and then you can share your passion on top of it,” said Larson.

Her passion for physical activity made her a great candidate for the 437 Project - a run across the state of South Dakota to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Running to Promote Suicide Prevention

“When I was approached to run and be a part of the 437 project, I was nominated by a local gal, so she knew me from a community involvement, a go getter, but she did not understand the whole mental health history behind me,” said Larson.

It inspired her to share her own story.

“My heart was telling me I’m going to do this run and be a part of this project," said Larson. “When I got up to speak the very first time to introduce myself at the 437 Project, that is where I truly stated it out loud, to the public, so in front of the Avera Behavioral Health, which is really where my 13 years started, so it was meant to be, and I know that, and I’m thankful for the courage I’ve had to share it, and I do know it makes an impact and my boys are proud of me, my family is proud of me, I had a lot of support, and I still do."

“Lisa is one of a kind. I did have the opportunity to run the 437 project, so running across the state with her and getting to know her. She truly brings the best out in everybody around her and her zest for life is absolutely contagious,” said Radigan.

One step at a time, the 437 Project is aiming to make a difference when it comes to suicide awareness and prevention.

“As we are running the run, as we are on the road, it is a big deal, we are going down and running and cheering in the towns, but those community stops were amazing. I think people see me as strong, have my things in order, always organized, always happy, how could Lisa Larson ever wanted to end her life, and so speaking up there and showing that it does not discriminate against anybody, you can have the happiest of happiest life and you still have thoughts,” said Larson. “The 437 Project has spread awareness not only for the run itself, but 988, the Helpline Center, 211, those things are incredible resources, and just getting that out there, and knowing the 437 Project is really promoting, is amazing.”