Resources:
Suicide
Find Focus on the Family broadcasts, best-in-class books,
referral recommendations, and more.
Alive to Thrive: A Biblical Guide to Preventing Teen Suicide
This program explores the social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of suicide. It’s written by Christian clinical experts and is designed to help parents, youth workers, ministry leaders, and teachers understand how suicide is a profoundly spiritual issue.
Alive to Thrive also features videos of church workers, healthcare providers, and young people discussing their own struggles with suicidal thoughts and how the Bible provides clarity and comfort in a turbulent and confusing world.
E-book: Alive to Thrive: A Biblical Guide to Preventing Teen Suicide
A Relentless Hope: Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression by Gary Nelson
Nelson offers compassionate, practical help for questions and concerns related to teen depression. The book “is written for teens, parents, teachers, pastors, and any who walk with the afflicted through this valley of the shadow of death.”
Children and Grief: Helping Your Child Understand Death by Joey O’Connor
Learn to support your child through the questions, emotions, and struggles that death and loss inevitably bring. O’Connor, a grief recovery specialist, explains how to provide a sense of security in the midst of disorienting events and emotions.
Is Your Teen Stressed or Depressed? by Dr. Arch Hart and Dr. Catherine Hart Weber
“A Practical and Inspirational Guide for Parents of Hurting Teenagers”
It’s Okay to Cry: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Through the Losses of Life by H. Norman Wright
When a child experiences loss, whether it be small (a broken toy) or traumatic (the death of a friend or family member), they need to know it’s okay to cry. Wright’s advice equips you to assist those you love grieve and heal.
No More Bullies: For Those Who Wound or Are Wounded by Frank Peretti
Peretti describes the emotional pain and physical abuse he endured at the hands of his classmates—and he offers encouragement to those who have been hurt. He also counsels those who’ve wounded others, and he advises parents and teachers about preventing bullying.
The Reason by Lacey Sturm
“With raw vulnerability, this hard rock princess tells her story of physical abuse, depression, suicidal struggles, and more—and her ultimate salvation. She asks the hard questions—Why am I here? Why am I empty? Why should I go on living?—showing that beyond the temporary highs and soul-crushing lows is a reason each of us exists and a purpose for our lives.”
Aftershock by David Cox and Candy Arrington (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
“Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide”
Grieving a Suicide: A Loved One’s Search for Comfort, Answers and Hope by Albert Y. Hsu
“After his father’s death, Hsu wrestled with intense emotional and theological questions surrounding suicide. While acknowledging that there are no easy answers, he draws on the resources of the Christian faith to point suicide survivors to the God who offers comfort in our grief and hope for the future.”
The Reason by Lacey Sturm
“With raw vulnerability, this hard rock princess tells her story of physical abuse, depression, suicidal struggles, and more—and her ultimate salvation. She asks the hard questions—Why am I here? Why am I empty? Why should I go on living?—showing that beyond the temporary highs and soul-crushing lows is a reason each of us exists and a purpose for our lives.”
Standing in the Shadow: Help and Encouragement for Suicide Survivors by June Cerza Kolf
Find gentle understanding and scriptural truth as you work through issues such as forgiveness, depression, guilt, anger, mourning, and acceptance.
So Much to Live for: How to Provide Help and Hope to Someone Considering Suicide by Gregory Jantz, PhD.
With great compassion and clear, actionable strategies, So Much to Live For shows you what to do, what to say, and how to intervene if you suspect a friend or loved one is considering suicide.
Surviving Suicide Loss: Making Your Way Beyond the Ruins by Rita Schulte
If you are struggling with suicide loss or you need to come alongside someone who is, Rita Schulte – an experienced therapist and a suicide loss survivor herself – understands. She offers a science-based therapy model incorporating spiritual tools to help you move forward.
Too Soon to Say Goodbye: Healing and Hope for Victims and Survivors of Suicide by Susan Titus Osborn, Karen Kosman, and Jeenie Gordon
Whether you’ve lost a loved one to suicide or have thought about taking your own life, there’s hope to overcome the darkness.
When Your Family’s Lost a Loved One: Finding Hope Together by David Guthrie and Nancy Guthrie
When your family’s lost a loved one, reminders are everywhere—a silent crib, an unused pillow … There’s no avoiding the pain, and each family member will grieve in their own way. But it is possible to find hope, joy, and unity again. Sharing from their personal journey through loss, the Guthries offer practical, compassionate help.
Life, in Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice by Kristen Anderson
Recounting her survival of a suicide attempt, Anderson shares how her faith in God helped her overcome severe depression and shame, as well as the challenges of permanent physical disability.
My Friend Is Struggling With Thoughts of Suicide by Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
Find “biblical insight and practical instruction on what your friends can do when plagued with thoughts of ending it all. But more importantly, you will discover how to become a true source of help and encouragement to lift them from discouragement and despair … And if you are that person struggling with despair, you can learn how to find that light at the end of the dark tunnel you seem to be in.”
No More Bullies: For Those Who Wound or Are Wounded by Frank Peretti
Peretti describes the emotional pain and physical abuse he endured at the hands of his classmates—and he offers encouragement to those who have been hurt. He also counsels those who’ve wounded others, and he advises parents and teachers about preventing bullying.
The Reason by Lacey Sturm
“With raw vulnerability, this hard rock princess tells her story of physical abuse, depression, suicidal struggles, and more—and her ultimate salvation. She asks the hard questions—Why am I here? Why am I empty? Why should I go on living?—showing that beyond the temporary highs and soul-crushing lows is a reason each of us exists and a purpose for our lives.”
A Relentless Hope: Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression by Gary Nelson
Nelson offers compassionate, practical help for questions and concerns related to teen depression. The book “is written for teens, parents, teachers, pastors, and any who walk with the afflicted through this valley of the shadow of death.”
Finding God’s Healing After a Suicide Loss (Rita Schulte and Jean Daly)
Rita and Jean discuss their experiences with losing a loved one to suicide, sharing the valuable lessons they learned as they walked through the grieving process — and how their faith in God sustained them.
Finding Hope Again (Kay Warren)
Warren explores what makes people susceptible to suicidal thoughts. Life is hard, but we can learn to be resilient. Focus on what Jesus did for us on the cross, seek comfort in Him, and stand strong until we see Him.
How God Saved Me From Suicide (Lacey Sturm)
Sturm, former lead singer with hard rock music group Flyleaf, talks about her difficult early years. She lost faith in God, embraced despair, and by age 16 was ready to commit suicide. But the Lord intervened and brought her to Himself. She is now married with children, and she ministers to the music, skateboarding, and art culture.
How to Help a Friend Who is Thinking About Suicide (Dr. Gregory Jantz)
Dr. Jantz offers expert insight on determining whether someone is in a downward spiral toward suicide — and how you can play a powerful role in helping to reverse that course by offering hope and support.
Understanding Teen Depression and Suicide (Dr. Gregory Jantz)
Jantz discusses characteristics of normal teen behavior and warning signs. He shares the progression from depression to suicide, how parents can know when to get professional help, and where to find support. He also talks about the importance of teens having a healthy identity, and he reminds parents of the tremendous impact they have on their children.
Online Booklets
- Parenting in the Midst of Tragedy
- Understanding and Coping With Trauma
- Dealing With Death
- Helping Bereaved Parents
Information Sheet
- Concerns About Adolescent Suicide
- Depression and Suicide: Risk Factors and Warning Signs
- Faith and Suicide Among Teens and Young Adults
- Grandparents Fear That Teen May Be Suicidal
- Parent Afraid to Express Concerns About Possible Teen Suicide
- Parents Dealing With Grief After Adolescent Child’s Suicide
- Preventing Teen Suicide
- Reaching Out to Someone Who Has Lost a Loved One Through Suicide
- Substance Abuse and Adolescent Suicide
- Suicide, Heaven, and Eternal Destiny
- Talking to Kids About Child Suicide
- Talking to Kids About the Suicide of an Adult Relative
- Talking to Teen About Suicide of Friend or Acquaintance
- Teen Has Suicidal Friend
- Teen Suicide: Intervention Strategies
- Teen Thinking About Suicide
- Teenage Depression and Suicide
- Warning Signs of Teen Suicide
Facing Tragedy
We want to help you with your grief, give parents tools to help their children cope, and show you how to help those in your community find a way to process what has happened. This area of our website houses resources for understanding trauma, parenting children through trauma, and helping others.
Articles
- After the Fact: Healing From a Friend’s Suicide
- Coping With Death and Grief
- How to Help Your Child Grieve
- Lighting the Way: Being There for Your Suicidal Friend
- When You Feel Hopeless
Resource Lists
Focus on the Family Counseling Consultation Line
If you need someone to talk to, Focus on the Family offers a free phone counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. Call 1-855-771-HELP (4357), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (MT).
Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network
Search for licensed Christian counselors in your area.
GriefShare
GriefShare provides materials for churches to facilitate grief recovery support meetings, and they help individuals connect with local groups.
The Hope Line
This comprehensive youth resource ministry hosts a national radio show and offers help to hurting teens.
The Jason Foundation
“The Jason Foundation, Inc., is dedicated to the prevention of the ‘Silent Epidemic’ of youth suicide through educational and awareness programs that equip young people, educators/youth workers and parents with the tools and resources to help identify and assist at-risk youth.”
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach them by calling 988.
Reaching You Ministries
Kristen Anderson’s group works to “reach the hurting, the hopeless, the lost, the suicidal and the depressed with the life transforming hope and leadership offered to us in Christ.”
SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)
“SAVE focuses its efforts and resources on six main program areas: public awareness, education, training and consulting, grief support, products and resources, and research and innovation.”
Survivors of Suicide
“The purpose of the Survivors of Suicide website is to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide resolve their grief and pain in their own personal way.”
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program
This community-based program “is dedicated to preventing suicide and attempts by making suicide prevention accessible to everyone and removing barriers to help by empowering individuals and communities through leadership, awareness and education; and by collaborating and partnering with support networks to reduce stigma and help save lives.”
Referrals to secular organizations dealing with specialized areas of knowledge shouldn’t be read as an indication that their stances necessarily align with Focus on the Family’s perspective in all areas.
