“Whoever saves one life, it is written as if they have saved all of humanity.”
[Qur’an 5:32]
Not many Muslims know how to address the issue of suicide when they are faced with it. It is often hard to know where to turn for help. These resources can make it easier to know what to do and where to go for more resources and information. It is our hope that through one or all of the following resources, we can build more awareness and shine the light on a mental health topic that is not often talked about. Thank you to our dedicated team and to everyone who supported this project. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Below you will find the following resources:
Please share these resources with friends and family. The more people are prepared when these situations arise, the more lives we can save together, insha’Allah.
The FYI Suicide Prevention Community Action Guide
This guide was designed for the community organizer, the imam, the teacher and the parent in mind. As a steward of your community or your family, you are the first responder. You should know that what you do or say is critical. Many people do not know how to sensitively support someone struggling with suicidal thoughts, a suicide attempt survivor, or the family or community affected by death from suicide.
While you may not be trained as a mental health professional, this guide is meant to equip you with the knowledge and tools to better prevent, intervene, and address suicide in your community and help save lives.
The Family and Youth Institute Suicide Prevention Community Action Guide is designed to:
- Increase community awareness and education
- Help identify ways to integrate prevention efforts into your community
- Highlight relevant resources for those in need
Click on the image to the right to access the guide.
The FYI Suicide Prevention Toolkit
The FYI Suicide Prevention Toolkit is a compilation of videos, articles, infographics and checklists created and designed by outside organizations. These resources are vetted and organized based on the user. There are sections for those affected by suicide loss, suicide attempts, educators, community organizers and religious leaders.
Whether you are a friend of someone who has expressed suicidal thoughts or actions and want to help them create a safety plan or you are an imam at a masjid who would like to more about how to address a family or community who has just experienced a suicide loss, this toolkit has resources for you.
We recommend going through the resource and becoming familiar with all of the resources that are available.
Click on the image to the left to access the toolkit.
The FYI Grief Support Toolkit
The FYI Grief Support toolkit offers a range of resources to help readers understand the process of grief. Whether you are going through one of the many stages of grief or are looking to support a loved one or community member, this toolkit has resources for you. This toolkit has tips from talking to children and teens about their experiences with grief to spiritual guidance to support you during a time of need.
Click on the image to the right to access the toolkit.
The FYI Suicide Intervention and Prevention Infographics
The FY Suicide Intervention and Prevention Infographics were designed as a quick reference resource to help individuals know the basics of what to do if someone expresses suicidal thoughts or actions. Also, the infographics address ways in which mental health education and resources can help in suicide prevention.
We recommend becoming familiar with the information and printing these infographics out as hand-outs at your community events. You can also print the infographic out as a poster and hang in a high-traffic area at your local masjid or community center.
With more education and access to resources, together we can lessen the stigma and help more people get the help they need.
Click on the image to see an expanded version of each infographic.
Suicide Prevention Khutba Guide
We also put together this Khutba guide on the topic of Suicide Prevention based on khutbas given by Sh. Yaser Birjas and Sh. Omar Suleiman. This is a critical topic that needs to be addressed and we hope speakers will be able to use it in your upcoming khutba (and/or share with other khateebs)
The FYI Therapy Guide
This multi-part Therapy Guide Infographic Series will help you find answers to questions about the importance of therapy, how to search for a therapist and what to expect out of therapy, and your relationship with your mental health. To make things easier for you, we’ve split this guide into 3 sections:
1) The Importance of Therapy – where we go into misconceptions, signs that might mean that therapy would be good for you, benefits, and a quick reminder about how taking care of your mental health is part of our faith!
2) Searching for a Therapist – where we take a look at the differences between different mental health professionals, what to look for, consider, and expect when making a decision about a therapist to see, and a list of questions to ask when interviewing!
3) What to Expect – where we talk about what therapy might look like, what makes it a good fit, red flags to watch out for, and how you know if it is even working for you.
This resource is meant as a guide to help you begin your journey or along the way as a reference. Please feel free to pass these infographics along to friends and family and check them out as more shareable social posts.
Click on the images or here for sources.
A New Reality – Responding to Suicide in the Muslim Community
What would you say to your children if they were friends with Abdullah? How would you support them as they grieve the death of their friend? As a community leader or educator, how do you support Muslim children and youth? It is hard to imagine that suicide is even an issue among our young people, but it is happening all across Muslim communities. Suicide can be a sensitive topic, but it is one that needs to be addressed. Click here to read on.
National Day of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life Video
The FYI Researcher, Dr. Sawssan Ahmed participated in 2017’s National Day of Prayer for Faith, Hope, and Life through the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Check out the positive and empowering message below.
Learn More about the Family & Youth Institute’s Suicide Prevention Resources
Suicide Prevention Infographic Suicide Intervention Infographic Suicide Prevention Toolkit Suicide Prevention Community Action Guide