For the past 47 years, I have been a volunteer with the Boston Branch of the Samaritans in the Suicide Intervention Unit and served on the organization’s Board of Directors for 10 years. Additionally, I was a member of the Malden Catholic Board of Trustees for two three-year terms around the turn of the century. During the period when my involvement with both organizations overlapped, I introduced Malden Catholic’s Board Members and staff to the Samaritans’ work in suicide prevention. This collaboration initiated a dialogue with Malden Catholic’s Theology Department, resulting in the Samaritans conducting Suicide Prevention Workshops for selected student groups. These workshops were well received, and with the outstanding support of the Malden Catholic staff and administrators, especially Headmaster Brother Greene and Principal Brother Thomas Puccio, a systemic approach was developed to ensure all graduating students receive suicide prevention education.

In 2008, a comprehensive plan was initiated requiring the Samaritans to be on-site for four days to conduct interactive, educational workshops for all students in the school. Following this, the Samaritans committed to conducting annual workshops for each junior class. The goal of this initiative was to educate all Malden Catholic students on the issues surrounding suicide, including recognizing the signs and symptoms, understanding the stressors that can lead to a suicidal crisis, and learning coping mechanisms to mitigate such feelings.

This approach is unique. While the Samaritans frequently present to schools and educational institutions, these are typically one-time events. To my knowledge, Malden Catholic is the only educational institution employing a systemic approach to suicide prevention education. Other schools often rely on self-study materials and consultant-backed programs targeted at staff (a train-the-trainer model) rather than direct student engagement. Since the program’s inception, the Samaritans have conducted annual workshops, adapting to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic by providing Zoom presentations. It is difficult to estimate the exact number of students who have participated, but I believe it exceeds 2,000.

The Samaritans is a nonprofit, nonreligious, volunteer-based organization, and all our services, including these workshops, are provided free of charge.

In my opinion, Malden Catholic is a leader in educating students about suicide prevention. This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support and leadership of former Board Chair Jim Donovan, President John Thornburg, former Principal Brother Thomas Puccio, Theology teacher Eamonn Casey, and the rest of the Malden Catholic staff.

Tom Burke
Malden Catholic Class of 1959
Samaritan Volunteer, Intervention Unit
Member, Board of Directors (2013–2023)
Member, Malden Catholic Board of Trustees (1997–2003)