Coping With Suicide - Part 1

Restorative Justice

In this 5-part series, Fr. Harry Dean and Deacon Ronnie Lastovica discuss the contents of the Knights of Columbus booklet, Coping with a Suicide: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Response. Throughout the series they specifically address the following topics in regards to their pertinence to the prison population and criminal justice system: 1) Why does someone commit suicide?, 2) What could have been done to prevent a suicide?, 3) Does the person who commits suicide go to hell?, 4) How does one grieve this type of loss?, 5) Strategies for healing in the survivors of suicide, 6) What should be told about the suicide?, 7) How does one support those grieving over a loss by suicide?, 8) What are the signs that a person is at risk for committing suicide?, 9) What are some conditions associated with a higher risk for suicide?, 10) What should be done to help someone who is at risk for committing suicide?, 11) Why is there so much teen suicide?, 12) List some references and resources for those working with those around the topic of suicide, and 13) Identifying the signs of suicide. Although not a comprehensive source on suicide, this booklet and the discussion in these sessions attempt to help survivors, and those who are concerned about them, with some of the questions and doubts that commonly arise in the attempt to come to terms with bereavement by suicide.