Psychologist Launches Healing Journey for Suicide Survivors

Dr. Erie Crawford's S.U.N.R.I.S.E. program aims to help those grieving a loved one's suicide

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:26pm

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph revealing the intricate structure of a human heart, glowing against a dark background and representing the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing from the loss of a loved one to suicide.A translucent X-ray image captures the delicate inner workings of the human heart, symbolizing the emotional and spiritual journey of healing from the trauma of suicide.Chicago Today

After losing her husband, a Chicago police officer and pastor, to suicide, psychologist Dr. Erie Crawford has launched the S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey for Suicide Survivors. The seven-step framework is designed to help individuals and communities move through grief with intention and hope, drawing on Dr. Crawford's personal experience and professional expertise.

Why it matters

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., with devastating impacts on families and communities. Dr. Crawford's program seeks to break the silence and stigma around suicide, providing a compassionate path forward for those grieving a loved one's death.

The details

The S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey includes seven steps: 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. For each step, Dr. Crawford provides mindful practices, resources, and tools to support the healing process.

  • In 2019, Dr. Crawford experienced the loss of her husband, a Chicago police officer and pastor, to suicide.
  • In 2025, Dr. Crawford created the S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey for Suicide Survivors.

The players

Dr. Erie S. Crawford

A distinguished author and business psychologist with over 25 years of experience in social work, Dr. Crawford holds a PhD in Business Psychology and master's degrees in Social Work. She created the S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey after the loss of her husband to suicide.

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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, Psychologist and Author

“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, Psychologist and Author

What’s next

Dr. Crawford continues to advocate for intentional healing in the aftermath of suicide through speaking engagements, workshops, and written work. The Other Side of Midnight, her memoir, is available online.

The takeaway

Dr. Crawford's S.U.N.R.I.S.E. Healing Journey provides a compassionate, structured approach to help those grieving a loved one's suicide move forward with intention and hope, while honoring the memory of the one they lost.