DeAnn Kalich is a professor of Sociology and Head of the department of Sociology, anthropology and child and family studies at UL Lafayette. She is internationally certified by the association for death education and counseling as a fellow in thanatology. She has taught sociology of death and dying for two decades, and facilitated numerous bereavement groups for people of all ages, including currently a survivors of suicide group for the diocese of Lafayette. She is also the current president of the Board of Directors for jacob crouch suicide prevention services.