#85: De-stigmatizing Suicide (with Kayla Stoecklein)
“The words committed or decided are the wrong words to attach to suicide because the suicidal mind is not able to operate rationally. 90% of suicides are impulsive; the suicidal mind is on fire. Suicide is not a selfish decision, it is a tragic death resulting from an underlying physical illness in the brain.”
This week we look at a crucially important topic: suicide and mental health. My guest is Kayla Stoecklein, whose husband Andrew died by suicide two years ago. Andrew had been the lead pastor of their church, and had struggled with significant mental health issues for some time. Kayla shares vulnerably how warning signs were missed and a great tragedy could have been averted. She provides hope and practical help for anyone facing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or suicidal ideation, as well as for those people loving others through it.
Order Kayla’s excellent book, Fear Gone Wild: A Story of Mental Illness, Suicide, and Hope Through Loss.
Follow Kayla on Instagram.
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Order my new devotional, You Are Enough: Learning to Love Yourself the Way God Loves You.
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This week on The Puddcast we talk all about depression. Diana Gruver, author of the wonderful book, Companions in the Darkness: Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt, shares her own story with depression, and the fellowship we can find with notable Christians who have struggled just like us. Whether you suffer from clinical depression, periodic bouts of depression or you just know someone who does, there’s hope and practical advice in here for you.