In this series, we have talked about suicide prevention, suicide bereavement and heard the sad story of Natalie, who at thirteen lost her dad to suicide. This final episode takes a different approach. This is John Cooper’s story of considering suicide after being incarcerated for a white-collar crime. Many of you have asked me how anyone can choose to end their life. It doesn’t seem rational, and it’s not.

Listen to John’s story of loss (of freedom, reputation and his family) which included shame and embarrassment while serving time in prison, a world he never thought he’d live in. This may provide you with new insights into the mind of someone who has considered death by suicide. John states that he couldn’t see how he was “going to do this anymore”. When he asked the chaplain why the prison didn’t just have a suicide box so that he could be put out of his misery, he is reminded that what we are going through now (no matter how horrific) will not last forever. Maybe you need that reminder today.

More than suicidal ideation, this episode really focuses on hope. Past mistakes do not have to define your future. Regardless of what loss you are going through, John tells us to not buy into the lie that all hope is lost.