Objective To gain an in-depth understanding of the psychological experiences of patients who have non-fatal suicidal behavior by poisoning, and to provide a reference for formulating prevention and support strategies for suicide by poisoning. Methods Twelve patients who lived through a suicide attempt by poisoning were deliberately chosen through purposive sampling for semi-structured interviews.The data were analyzed using Colaizzi′s seven-step phenomenological analysis method. Results Three themes were identified:the accumulation of negative emotions, triggers for suicidal behaviors, and psychological reactions after the suicide attempt. Conclusion Patients who attempted suicide by poisoning suffer from varying degrees of psychological trauma. While some patients are able to confront their conflicts after the attempt, others still remain at risk of re-attempts.It is necessary to establish a tripartite linkage mechanism involving hospitals, communities, and families to reduce the risk of repeated suicide attempts.