Suicide And Religion: Matthew Warren's Death Raises Questions For Mental Illness And Faith

Matthew Warren's tragic death raises the questions of how religious people can communities are equipped to support people will mental illness and their families. In his letter about his son's suicide Pastor Rick Warren wrote:

“In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided. Today, after a fun evening together with Kay and me, in a momentary wave of despair at his home, he took his life.”

What are the experiences of religious people whose loved ones have died from suicide and what theological or cultural stumbling blocks are there within religion that still need to be overcome?

HuffPost Live Host Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was joined by HuffPost Senior Religion Editor Rev. Paul Raushenbush @raushenbush; Journalist Christine A. Scheller @cascheller whose son died from suicide; Psychiatrist Dr. Paul Steinberg; Denis Asselin whose son died from suicide; and Rabbi Rebecca Einstein Schorr @rebeccaschorr

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