A Faith-Filled Conversation About Su!cide Prevention

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicidal ideation. If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). Both are available 24 hours a day.September is Suicide Prevention Month. And as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and woman of faith, Erica St. Bernard is adding her voice - clinically informed, spiritually grounded, and deeply human - to one of the most important conversations we can have.In this episode, Erica addresses the harmful narratives that sometimes circulate in faith communities around suicide and mental health - including the idea that suicidal ideation reflects weak faith, that gratitude is the cure, or that suicide is selfish - and offers a more complete, compassionate theological and clinical framework.In this episode:What suicidal ideation actually is - and why that framing mattersHarmful faith narratives around suicide that cause real harm and need to be namedWhat Scripture actually says about God's presence in our darkest momentsPractical suicide prevention strategies for individuals, families, and communitiesA powerful word from Dr. Pamela Buchanan - a physician living with depression and suicidal ideation - on practicing hope dailyCrisis resources and how to use themThis episode is for anyone who has experienced suicidal ideation, anyone who loves someone who has struggled, anyone who has lost someone to suicide, and anyone who wants to show up better for their community around this topic.Psalm 34:18 | Matthew 11:28 | Psalm 23:4Crisis Resources: 📞 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - call or text 988 💬 Crisis Text Line - text HOME to 741741Connect with Erica:For Maryland residents seeking support in establishing or strengthening friendship in your marriage, schedule a therapy consultation. If you're a Black Christian wife who's longing for more friendship, intimacy, and connection in your marriage — I help women just like you restore the closeness they've been longing for, even if they haven't felt close in years. Learn more about Sacred Authenticity.And don't forget to join our Melanated Moments Community for Sacred Sunday messages that arrive in your inbox each week with encouragement for your journey. And if you prefer to watch rather than just listen, Melanated Moments is now available on YouTube. Subscribe and ring the bell so you never miss a visual Melanated Moment!