Understanding Suicide

$200.00

Join Institute founder & director Amy Wright Glenn for an 10-hour, online course focusing on deepening our collective understanding suicide with greater clarity and compassion.

Presented live in February and March 2025, Amy draws upon recent research, memoir, fiction, as well as interviews with mental health providers who are experts in the field of suicide prevention and loss. All are welcome.

*Institute members receive 50% off of their tuition.
All are welcome to join the Institute as a lifelong member. 
*Scholarships available.

Description

As a hospital chaplain, often the most difficult encounters are in response to deaths by suicide or attempted deaths by suicide. This is was true for Amy Wright Glenn, author of Holding Space. In her work as a hospital chaplain, Amy supported survivors of suicide loss as well as those who had attempted to die by suicide. The experience of holding space in these difficult and heartbreaking times was life altering.

According to the CDC, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 in the United States. Overall, it is the 11th most common cause of death across age demographics. Often, when we consider these statistics, the sorrow can be staggering.

How can be better understanding suicide? What are best practices to support those devastated by suicide loss? How can we hold our fears about the rising rates of suicide with compassion and courage? What can we do to support suicide prevention?

Join Amy Wright Glenn as she skillfully and compassionately explores what it means to come to a deeper understanding of suicide.

Understanding Suicide
Saturdays February 8 & 22 + Saturdays March 8 & 22
3-5pm EST
(presented live, online)

*Modules are recorded for all participants. One need not join us live to complete the study.

This course is open to all and crafted to offer support, compassion, and a safe space for a deeper understanding of suicide. Our study is organized around the following key themes:

*Companioning as an approach to supporting survivors of suicide loss
*Confronting shame and silence around the topic of suicide
*Understanding the biological, psychological, and cultural factors that help explain suicide
*Strengthening the network of support around those who are facing suicidality
*Drawing upon healing rituals in the wake of suicide loss
*Understanding the healing power of writing (memoir and fiction) as we make sense of suicide
*Interviews with mental health professionals who study suicide prevention and loss

Two books central to our study. In June, participants will read Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide by Kay Redfield Jamison.  In July, participants will read The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan.

All are welcome.

If you are considering suicide or self harm, please seek support now.
Learn more about the International Association for Suicide Prevention.