How to help prevent suicide and aiding survivors: A conversation with Dr. John Mark Caton

Dr. John Mark Caton and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Dr. Caton’s personal experience with the tragic suicide of his older brother, lingering survivor’s guilt, the importance of community, and how to talk to people contemplating suicide. 

 

Show notes: 

 

Dr. John Mark Caton and Dr. Mark Turman begin this difficult discussion by talking about Caton’s tragic story and the suicide of his older brother (3:27). They talk about guilt, the lingering cloud of sorrow, and the importance of stories (11:15). They summarize how the Bible talks about suicide and whether it’s the unpardonable sin (17:01). 

 

Dr. Caton discusses the importance of community and the church, how to talk to people considering suicide, and why calling 911 is of strong importance (24:46). Dr. Turman and Dr. Caton consider the state of our culture’s relationship to suicide and why it’s gotten worse in young people (40:21). 

 

Dr. Caton brings up the impact of intergenerational relationships as a way to combat rising rates of isolation (48:18). He also gives closing thoughts on next steps in approaching someone in your life whom you’re worried about (56:04). They end by reflecting on the way Dr. Caton has been changed by the death of his brother (1:03:12).

 

Resources and further reading:

 

• Last Call, Suicide: An Unfinished Life - John Mark Caton

• Hope Always - Dr. Matthew Sleeth 

• “How to talk to your kids about depression and suicide” – Dr. Matthew Sleeth
• “What does the Bible say about suicide?” – Dr. Jim Denison
• 988 Lifeline
•  

About the hosts 

 

Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. 

 

Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. 

 

About the guest 

 

John Mark Caton, Ph.D., is the Senior Pastor Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church for twenty-seven years and the author of several books. He received a Master of Theology from Criswell College, and a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2001.