Page header image for Suicide Awareness Resources

How to Be There

Supportive Suicide Prevention and Awareness Tools

Suicide Awareness is becoming more important in our society and Church. It reminds us to regularly connect with ourselves and our loved ones, especially when we're feeling stressed, anxious, or hopeless. Suicide prevention and offering comfort to those grieving a loss from suicide can be difficult to navigate. This page offers resources for hope and guidance for those who need it.

If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.

Fr. Rob Galea, a well-known Catholic musician, speaker, and author, talks about how he overcame his own depression.

Articles

Catholicism and Death by Suicide by Deacon Ed Shoener

Mary Is There During Our Grief by Leticia Ochoa Adams

Healing is Essential by Bob Schuchts

Chicago Catholic: Helping to Prevent Suicide During Stressful Pandemic

 

Podcast Episodes

A Catholic Response to Talking About Suicide with Deacon Ed Shoener

At the Foot of the Cross with Leticia Ochoa Adams

The Power of Healing with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, and Fr. John Burns

Helping Teens Be Mentally Healthy with Roy Petitfils

Children and the Mental Health Crisis with Jasmyn Joubert

Mental Health with Regina Boyd

Saints Who Struggled with Mental Health Issues with Tommy Tighe

Wounds Can Be a Teacher with Leticia Ochoa Adams

Hold Fast to Hope with Leah Darrow

 

 

How Pastoral Leaders Can Respond to Suicide
In this webinar, Bishop John Dolan and Deacon Ed Shoener —founders of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers—reflect on the spiritual insights they have gained after losing loved ones to suicide. They also discuss how pastoral leaders can provide support to individuals and communities affected by suicide.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens today. Teens want adults to talk about suicide, even if they don't bring it up themselves. While it is uncomfortable to discuss, it is essential that we engage teens in this tough conversation. This webinar will help those working in parishes, youth ministry, and schools.
Many grieving people feel unsupported by the Church after a loved one's suicide. They worry that the Church believes their loved one is in hell. Join Bishop John Dolan and Deacon Ed Shoener as they address those issues head-on. They will explore difficult questions that arise after a suicide and present practical ideas for accompanying the grieving after from a suicide loss.

Books That Offer Hope and Healing

Series to help manage stress and anxiety and maintain mental health from Ave Explores

Ave Explores: Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health

Explore a variety of mental health issues such as addiction and recovery, forgiveness, grief, practicing mindfulness, therapy, and spiritual direction. Discover the significance of mental health care and find ways to regain your well-being. Click here to find all the content. 

Series for spiritual, mental, and emotional healing from Ave Explores

Ave Explores: Healing

This series teaches about healing and how a personal encounter with Christ is the true path to becoming whole and feeling known. Join Katie Prejean McGrady and her guests as they share stories of healing of how the Lord can heal your family, addictions, grief, and trauma.

Click here to find all the content. 

The contents of this page, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. 

If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.