A Word from Bob: I’ve collated today’s post from The Annual Guide to Biblical Counseling Resources: 2020 Edition. This guide provides 230 pages that collate 920 biblical counseling resources. Learn more about The Annual Guide or purchase a copy for $5.99 here. You can read similar resource blog posts on:
- 23 Biblical Counseling Resources for Help with Anxiety, Fear, Panic Attacks, & Worry: http://bit.ly/23BCRAnxiety
- 16 Biblical Counseling Resources on Singleness, Dating, and Pre-Engagement: https://bit.ly/17BCRDating
- 25 Biblical Counseling Resources on Pornography, Sexual Sin, & Sexual Purity: https://bit.ly/25BCResPurity
Suicide Intervention
Black, Jeff. Suicide: Understanding and Intervening
Suicide is profoundly tragic. What depth of unbearable pain and hopelessness suicidal people experience. And when a Christian commits or contemplates suicide, it is both tragic and confusing. Jeff Black tells us that the intention to commit suicide is a crisis—a sinful act born out of pain and sorrow. Though promised new life in Christ and a living hope, some believers don’t keep their eyes focused on these truths. God has the power to help. Here we learn the signs of suicide and guidelines for intervening when someone appears suicidal.
Powlison, David. I Just Want to Die: Replacing Suicidal Thoughts with Hope
Are you having suicidal thoughts and feelings? Perhaps you are convinced that life is not worth living. Your life seems hopeless, like a black hole with all love, hope, and joy sucked out. In I Just Want to Die: Replacing Suicidal Thoughts with Hope, David Powlison describes the various reasons you might be feeling hopeless and explains that God is not surprised or put off by your hopeless feelings. Your life is precious to God. He knows everything about you. He wants you to bring your despair to Him and cry for help. He will answer and replace your suicidal thoughts with hope for a future filled with love for Him and others.
Ray, Bruce. Help! My Friend Is Suicidal
Statistics indicate that more than 101 people take their own lives every day. However, those who work in the field of crisis intervention also testify that a significant number of suicides are preventable provided help is available. This mini-book will help you to recognize the warning signs of suicidal thinking and increase the possibility of giving hope to a suicidal friend before it’s too late.
Sironi, Aaron. Assessing and Counseling a Person with Suicidal Thoughts
Caring for a person who is struggling with suicidal thoughts requires skill and sensitivity. This resource provides tools to assess the risk level of an individual who is contemplating suicide. Caring wisely for this person will include making thoughtful and difficult decisions while awakening true hope. This lecture is from the 2011 CCEF National Conference, “Psychiatric Disorders.”
Grieving a Suicide
Black, Jeffery. Making Sense of the Suicide of a Christian
As a pastor, I can’t think of many things I like to do less than conduct the funeral of a believer who has committed suicide. The paradoxes pile up on top of each other. Making Sense of the Suicide of a Christian gives advice to counselors on what the Bible teaches about the suicide of a Christian and on what to say to family members and friends.
Gossack, Julie. Life After the Suicide of a Loved One
Suicide ends one life but brings intense pain into the lives of family members and friends. How can people respond to their pain in ways that bring true healing? How can this pain draw them into a closer relationship with God? Julie Gossack tells of her own journey through this painful arena. She replays the smorgasbord of lies often heard in connection with suicide and presents the truth of God’s Word in response to these lies.
Powlison, David. Grieving a Suicide: Help for the Aftershock
Someone you know and love has died. You feel the emptiness and sorrow of loss. That alone is extremely hard. But suicide adds many other painful reactions to the heartache that death brings: feelings of anger, guilt, betrayal, and many unanswerable questions. This is one of life’s broken, dark experiences in which you need help and encouragement to remember that the promises and presence of your God and Savior are real. David Powlison speaks into this darkness with Grieving a Suicide: Help for the Aftershock.
Ray, Bruce. Help! Someone I Love Died by Suicide
Losing someone through suicide is deeply painful. It sparks questions, doubts, and confusion. Like ripples in a pond after a rock has been thrown in, the startling news of a suicide swamps the boats of those who are closest, and even rocks the boats of those who are far removed. This sensitively written mini-book comes alongside to offer help to those who are grieving, and, most importantly, provides hope in Jesus Christ.
Join the Conversation
What additional biblical counseling resources would you recommend for suicide intervention and on grieving a suicide?
