REASON TO LIVE
SUICIDE PREVENTION

CHURCHES: SUICIDE PREVENTION WEBSITES

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Care to Change: Churches and Suicide Prevention

https://www.caretochange.org/churches-and-suicide-prevention/

The church can and should play an important role in suicide prevention. Most people who are
contemplating suicide reach out for help, but the signals they send are frequently
misunderstood. They’re desperately seeking reasons to keep living, and there’s no better source
for that guidance than the people focused on serving their spiritual well-being. … For too long,
our society’s fear of suicide has led too many people and organizations — church leaders and
churches among them — to avoid talking about the subject. But as we’ve learned, the more open
we are about suicide and the more we bring it into the open, the better we’ll be at helping those
who are in despair realize they are loved, and their lives serve a purpose.
(Jared Jones, October 17, 2021—Excerpt)

The Role of Faith Communities in Preventing Suicide

https://www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/migrate/library/faith_dialogue.pdf

Life is a complex journey viewed through different lenses by different faith groups. But the varied
eyes of all our traditions increasingly see the great potential of people of faith to prevent the
tragedy of suicide. Spiritual leaders and faith communities and now the research community
know that practices of faith and spirituality can promote healthy living and provide pathways
through human suffering, be it mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical.

 

 

Episcopal Church: Faith Formation—Mental Health First Aid

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/faith-formation/mental-health-first-aid-and-suicide-prevention/

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In 2018, General Convention passed resolution C014, which recognized that “clergy and adults who work with youth are often on the frontlines of suicide prevention” and resolved that “the institutions and diocesan programs that educate Priest and Deacons be encouraged to offer four (4) hours of suicide prevention education, using evidence-based trainings, for its students, and that dioceses offer similar suicide prevention training for their clergy and adults who work with youth.” In addition, the resolution continued, “that the General Convention urge local congregations to call on state and federal leaders to develop and implement strategies to increase access to quality mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention services.”

 

Community United Methodist Church: Suicide

http://commumc.org/connect/care-and-support/suicide/

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PRAYER: Living God, I feel alone. I long for a peace that feels unattainable in my life now. I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death. My God, do not forsake me. Open my heart to the movement of your Spirit. Help me to not lean on the world for happiness, acceptance or healing, and instead, to lean on you. Grant me your peace that in turn may set my life at peace. Christ came that I may have abundant life--not only in the hereafter, but also in the here and now. Build up in me a courageous spirit so that I may fight for life, seek help, honestly share my feelings and be gifted with the support of others during this difficult time. I choose life, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Life Help - Suicide

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/life-help/suicide?lang=eng

If your challenges feel overwhelming, seek help. Everyone needs help from others, no matter how
faithful they are. Even Jesus needed comfort and strength from His Father. The Lord can
strengthen you or send others to help and comfort you. Pray for help and believe that you will
receive it. God has not forgotten you. … Talking about suicide will not make someone more likely
to attempt suicide. In fact, talking openly about suicide is an effective way to help prevent
suicide. The purpose of any discussion about suicide should be to help leaders and members
minister more effectively to those who have been affected by suicide.

NAMI FaithNet

https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/NAMI-FaithNet

NAMI FaithNet is an interfaith resource network of NAMI members, friends, clergy and
congregations of all faith traditions who wish to encourage faith communities who are
welcoming and supportive of persons and families living with mental illness. … Through this
website and through efforts nationally and in local communities, NAMI and NAMI Affiliates
encourage an exchange of information, tools and other resources which will help educate and
inspire faith communities about mental illness and the vital role spirituality plays in recovery for
many.

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CHURCHES: CODY, WYOMING

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