Psychologist Launches Healing Journey for Suicide Survivors

Dr. Erie Crawford's S.U.N.R.I.S.E. program aims to help individuals and communities move through grief with intention and hope.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:24pm

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A translucent X-ray photograph revealing the delicate internal structure of a human heart, glowing against a dark background, representing the complex emotional and spiritual journey of healing from the trauma of suicide.An X-ray image of the human heart symbolizes the emotional and spiritual healing process for those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide.Chicago Today

After losing her Chicago police officer husband to suicide, social worker and business psychologist Dr. Erie Crawford has launched the S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey for Suicide Survivors, a step-by-step framework designed to help individuals and communities move through grief with intention and hope. The program builds on the principles explored in her memoir, The Other Side of Midnight, and shares her unique viewpoint as a psychologist, social worker, spouse, mother, aunt, Christian, and citizen.

Why it matters

Suicide is a devastating tragedy that leaves lasting trauma for loved ones. Dr. Crawford's program aims to provide a compassionate, structured path forward for those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, addressing the complex grief experienced within first responder families and faith communities.

The details

The S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey is a seven-step process that includes prescribed mindful practices, resources, and tools to help those grieving from a suicide. The steps are: Surrender the Hurt, Understand the Loss and Your Story, Nurture Core Connections, Reconcile and Honor Their Memory, Integrate Mind, Body, and Spirit, Strengthen Education, and Engage Purpose and Extend Hope.

  • Dr. Crawford experienced the loss of her husband to suicide in 2019.
  • She published her memoir, The Other Side of Midnight, in 2024.
  • The S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey was launched in 2025.

The players

Dr. Erie S. Crawford

A distinguished author and business psychologist with over 25 years of experience in social work, who has dedicated her career to understanding and enhancing human behavior. After losing her husband, a Chicago police officer and pastor, to suicide in 2019, she transformed her personal grief into a source of healing for others.

The Other Side of Midnight

Dr. Crawford's memoir, published in 2024, which inspired the creation of the S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey.

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What they’re saying

“Writing The Other Side of Midnight inspired the S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey. It's the continuation of my mission to help survivors restore their wellbeing after the trauma of losing a loved one to suicide.”

— Dr. Erie Crawford, Author and Psychologist

“My purpose in developing the Journey is to help as many suicide survivors as possible understand that while there is no magic pill for grief, there is a mindful path through it. We can heal while still honoring and remembering the one we lost.”

— Dr. Erie Crawford, Author and Psychologist

What’s next

Dr. Crawford is offering the S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey through speaking engagements, workshops, and written work, continuing to advocate for intentional healing in the aftermath of suicide.

The takeaway

By sharing her personal story of loss and resilience, Dr. Crawford is providing a compassionate, structured path forward for those grieving the devastating impact of suicide, addressing the complex grief experienced within various communities.