Category: The Stigma of Suicide

When Someone Says Your Child Can’t Be In Heaven

by Melissa Shaffer | Apr 7, 2025

Have you come across the mistaken belief that suicide sends a person directly to hell? There...

Does Suicide Deserve the Stigma?

by Melissa Shaffer | Nov 25, 2024

Have you experienced any stigma with your suicide loss? Many new members have joined our group...

Was Tristan’s Life Second Best?

by Melissa Shaffer | Oct 11, 2021

I have a new favorite passage of scripture, but it’s a weird one to highlight: But he...

While We’re Waiting Podcast

by Melissa Shaffer | Oct 1, 2021

Todd and I had the privilege of being interviewed on the While We’re Waiting Podcast. You...

His Soul Refused to be Comforted

by Melissa Shaffer | Aug 2, 2021

One of the things I struggle with as a suicide loss survivor is people assessing that Tristan was...

Five Just Isn’t Right

by Melissa Shaffer | Jul 26, 2021

I’d seen this picture of the five of us for years. It never made me cry that one of us was...

Stephen Had a Mom

by Melissa Shaffer | Mar 4, 2021

All my dreams for Tristan disappeared along with him when he took his own life. God was not going to use Tristan the way I thought, but his short life was not Plan B.

I recently listened to two sermons on suicide. One pastor yelled at his congregation, demanding they not commit such a horrible sin. He had just lost two congregants to suicide. The second pastor gave a tender and compassionate...