I hope you realize how skewed a sample that is. 100 people who unsuccessfully attempted suicide by jumping off a bridge will usually say they regretted it because they likely broke both their legs, fractured their feet, a couple ribs, suffered severe bruising of the abdominal area, and maybe a broken arm upon hitting the water/ground under the bridge. Throw in a high likelihood of being knocked unconscious from shock and nearly drowning and you setup anybody for regret.

Plus, when interviewed, they are likely a couple weeks to months after the attempt, as injuries that severe take you out of commission for a while, plus informal interviews are likely restricted to be done with people on suicide watch. The average suicide from depression takes place on the rebound from the depths of the depression, and from that point depression symptoms dissappear within a month or two.

100 out of 100 of these people were likely interviewed after their depression had receded, prompting normal answers in reflection.


People who are suicidal will still attempt suicide in the face of reason because the reasoning being used to justify it is inherently irrational. Reminders that it could be worse or that it will get better do nothing, and for some it further alienates the person because it reaffirms their belief that nobody understands or cares about them.