What is the significance of Frankl's time in Austria?

In the case for a Tragic Optimism, Frankl recalls his experience in Austria's state hospital, where he estimates he worked with more than twelve thousand severely depressed people, most of whom had made an attempt at suicide. In the majority of these situations, people told Frankl that they were very glad the suicide attempt had failed, that they had since found a profound meaning in their lives. Frankl would use these as examples to counsel others considering suicide to provide them with the optimism necessary to inspire the will to live.