Today we’re going to be talking about a really difficult topic: teen suicide. Last week, Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst, who was only 30 years old, jumped to her death from her high-rise condo building in Manhattan. On the outside she had it all: beauty, brains (she was a lawyer), and fame (she was also a correspondent with the TV show Extra). But she struggled greatly with depression. If you’re listening to this podcast today. I want you to know that I don’t believe in coincidence. There’s a reason you’re here. If you’re contemplating suicide, I want you to know there’s always hope. Always. If you’ve lost someone to suicide, I hope this episode will bring you comfort. And if you have no idea why you should listen to an episode about suicide, I want you to know that it’s much more common than you think, especially since the pandemic hit. And you may be able to help someone else who is thinking they have no reason to live.
And so today I want to introduce you to my dear friend, Beth Saadati. Beth has the heartbreaking story of losing her 14-year-old daughter to suicide nine years ago. The trail of broken hearts and lives she left behind is devastating. She, like Cheslie Kryst, had a bright future ahead, was smart and popular and had a loving family. But she didn’t believe there was hope for her. And so, she ended her life and so many lives have never been the same since. Beth has been faithfully sharing Jenna’s story for almost a decade now, hoping she can make a difference in the lives of others who have suicidal thoughts or those dealing with loss through suicide. Even though Beth will never get over the death of her beautiful daughter, she still understands that life must go on, for her own sake as well as the sake of her husband and two remaining children. Ask God to open your heart, eyes and ears as you listen. My prayer is that this episode will save at least one life today.
And if you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or go online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Quotes From Beth’s Episode
“The best thing we can do is to start the conversation because there’s so much shame around suicide, mental health and depression. Because research has shown that talking about it does not encourage a person to end their life. It’s actually the opposite. It gives them a place where they can talk and feel known and those lies that are in all of our minds can be addressed and we can maybe hear truth where the darkness is, for whatever reason, blocking that out.”
“There’s always help, and there’s always hope.” – Sam Eaton
Here are some final words from Beth to those considering suicide:
- When life gets hard (and it will), share your pain with someone you trust. Don’t hide it and let the lies grow.
- Decide NOW that, no matter how hard life gets, suicide is NOT an option. You’ll only be passing your pain onto someone else.
- Always remember: There’s help. And there’s hope.
- Choose to live. Please stay.
Resources and Scripture
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. – John 10:10
Suicide’s 7 Lies: The Letter My Daughter Left Behind by Beth Saadati
Alive to Thrive (Focus on the Family Website: survivor story videos): alivetothrive.com
Recklessly Alive (Sam Eaton’s blog: suicide ministry–posts about depression and videos): recklesslyalive.com
Bittersweet (Beth Saadati’s blog: resources, reaching out, sidebar videos) bethsaadati.com
Listen to An Unfinished Life: Losing a Daughter to Suicide with Beth Saadati