“What should we be talking about that we’re not?”

That’s the starting prompt for every installment of “Erin’s One-Question Interview.” While the answers to this question may change, the quality of these vital, hard-hitting conversations remains the same.

In this episode, Sarah, Erin, and Rachel welcome special guest Cassie Moore into the Lounge to talk about one of the thorniest and most uncomfortable topics of all: suicide.

What do Lutherans really believe about suicide? Why are we so afraid to talk about it? How can we better engage in the sacred work of suicide prevention among hurting young people?

Cassie Moore is an author, speaker, LCMS youth ministry veteran, and fellow Lutheran lady. She is author of Authentic Youth Ministry: Straight Talk about Working with Kids, Teens & In-Betweens and creator of the webinar series From A to (Gen) Z: The Church and the Digital Generation with Concordia Publishing House. Learn more about her work at CassieAHMoore.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org. You are not alone. Jesus loves you, and so do we.

Resources referenced in this episode include:

• Resilient Minds - Christ-Centered Mental Health Curriculum (cph.org)
• Home - youthESource — free youth ministry resources
• I Will Grieve for the Suicide (lcms.org) — free ebook by the Rev. Peter Preus
• Word Of Hope (word-of-hope.org) — Lutherans for Life deaconess hotline
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat. (988lifeline.org)
• QPR Institute | Practical and Proven Suicide Prevention Training QPR Institute (en-US)
• Mental Health First Aid

Connect with the Lutheran Ladies on social media in The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Facebook discussion group (facebook.com/groups/LutheranLadiesLounge) and on Instagram @lutheranladieslounge. Follow Sarah (@hymnnerd), Rachel (@rachbomberger), and Erin (@erinaltered) on Instagram!

Sign up for the Lutheran Ladies' Lounge monthly e-newsletter here, and email the Ladies at lutheranladies@kfuo.org.