Clergy
members hold unique roles in relation to suicide and suicide
prevention. You may be called on to offer counseling
for individuals contemplating suicide or in a crisis situation;
asked for advice from a concerned person who has had some
kind of interaction with someone who may be suicidal; asked
for support by an individual who is a survivor of suicide;
or asked to provide counsel for your spiritual institution,
which may be impacted by one of its' members dying by suicide.
Suicide
impacts people worldwide and consequently is a weighty concern
for parents, guardians, family members, friends, etc.
The fear and concern of suicide impacting your community directly
or indirectly requires the ability to find fast and targeted
information and resources.
Spiritual
institutions may be the first places visited or asked for
information on risk factors associated with suicide, like
depression and suicide prevention. Spiritual institutions
can be a valuable resource to those seeking information, making
it essential for you to have current and varied resources.
The
stigma of suicide can make it very difficult on an individual
to find suicide prevention information. Clergy members
have an opportunity to disseminate suicide prevention education
in an effort to increase understanding, decrease the stigma
of discussing suicide and mental health needs, and advocate
for further suicide prevention education within the community.
This Web site can help
you when you are unable to find the suicide prevention information
and resources that you need within your community. |
