Suicide

The Latest

The Oregon State Capitol in Salem.

Oregon reports significant uptick in assisted suicides

Mar 28, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Since the state’s passage of the “Death with Dignity Act” in 1997, assisted suicide numbers have been consistently rising there. Read more

The funeral of Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik on Jan. 31, 2024, outside the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey.

New Jersey sheriff’s funeral Mass shows Church’s development of approach to suicide

Feb 6, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

There is a growing focus in the Catholic Church on suicide prevention and mental health support. Read more

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Deaths by suicide reach ‘highest number ever recorded’; ideation likely higher, expert says

Nov 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Suicide rates have been steadily increasing for about 50 years, one expert says, which is likely due to a combination... Read more

Father Benjamin Sellier.

French priest accused of abusing a young girl commits suicide

Jul 17, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

According to local media France Bleu Nord, the 47-year-old priest was hit by a freight train in the northern region... Read more

Pope Francis poses for a photo with a group of young people after his general audience Aug. 17, 2022.

Pope Francis laments the spiritual poverty in a culture that leads to teen suicides 

Jun 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

While continuing his recovery in the hospital, Pope Francis called attention to cultural changes that lead people to stop caring... Read more

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Priest warns of dangers of social media after 12-year-old girl records her suicide

Jan 18, 2023

By CNA Staff

“I think it’s important to let ourselves be ‘hit hard’ by these stories, and that it not come off as... Read more

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Study challenges claim that legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide could ‘save lives’

Feb 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

The peer-reviewed paper analyzed suicide rates in Europe. Read more

Sign at Catholic University of America.

Catholic University professor's suicide prevention treatment deemed ‘well supported’ 

May 19, 2021

The Catholic University of America announced this week that an intervention for suicide developed by one of its psychology professors... Read more

How churches can respond to the COVID-19 mental health crisis

Apr 29, 2021

By Kate Scanlon

With concerns that suicide rates are rising in communities of color during the pandemic, Catholic mental health workers say the... Read more

Paraguayan police officer reads Bible passage, saves woman from suicide  

Aug 17, 2020

A police officer in Paraguay saved the life of a woman this month by talking to her and reading Scripture... Read more

Stock image.

CDC report finds one in four young adults contemplate suicide

Aug 14, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Over a quarter of young adults aged 18-24 have seriously contemplated suicide over the last month, a new Centers for... Read more

Suicide is on the rise - What can the Catholic Church do to help?

Dec 28, 2019

By Mary Farrow

On Monday of National Suicide Prevention Week this year, popular evangelical pastor and mental health advocate Jarrid Wilson, 30, reportedly... Read more

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines.

Cardinal Tagle speaks of 'shock and sadness' at Philippines' suicide rates

Dec 26, 2019

In the wake of rising suicide rates in the Philippines, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle issued a Christmas statement expressing his... Read more

Detroit priest faces lawsuit over homily at suicide victim’s funeral

Nov 27, 2019

By Jonah McKeown

A priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit is facing a lawsuit filed by the parents of a teenager who committed... Read more

Participants in the 2019 pilgrimage in Maine.

Maine teens hike 70 miles in pilgrimage of prayer to end addiction and depression

Sep 1, 2019

By Christine Rousselle

For the second year in a row, 11 Maine teens embarked on a 70-mile pilgrimage to pray for their communities... Read more

After Epstein death, theologians discuss suicide, salvation, and the obligations of the state

Aug 15, 2019

By Mary Farrow

CNA spoke with three moral theologians about suicide, on the hope for salvation that the Church holds for those who... Read more

At watershed moment, assisted suicide could expand in Australia

Aug 6, 2019

Legal assisted suicide could expand in Australia, as the Western Australian government has introduced legislation to allow people deemed terminally... Read more

Amid continued controversy, Netflix edits suicide scene in 13 Reasons Why

Jul 16, 2019

Shortly before launching the third season of 13 Reasons Why, Netflix has announced that it is removing a scene depicting... Read more

Suicide rate in prisons raises alarm, calls for change

Jun 27, 2019

With suicide rates remaining high in the United States’ prison system, civil advocates are raising concerns regarding the treatment of... Read more

Study finds nearly 30% spike in male teen suicide following Netflix release of ‘13 Reasons Why’

Jun 7, 2019

When the Netflix series ‘13 Reasons Why’, which features teen suicide, first aired in 2017, mental health professionals expressed concerns... Read more