Suicide claims more than 30,000 lives a year, making it the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. In recent years, many church denominations have set up support programs, such as the Stephen Ministry, and hired counselors to assist members experiencing difficult times.

In November 1999, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America took a stand for suicide prevention and published a booklet which provides facts, figures and spiritual guidance on the subject.

“We believe that life is God's good and precious gift to us, and yet life for us-ourselves and others-sometimes appears to be hell, a torment without hope. When we would prefer to ignore, reject or shy away from those who despair of life, we need to recall what we have: God's boundless love in Jesus Christ will leave no one alone and abandoned. We who lean on God's love to live are called to `bear on another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ' (Galations 6:2). Our efforts to prevent suicide grow out of our obligation to protect and promote life, our hope in God amid suffering and adversity and our love for our troubled brother.”

The booklet also contains a suicide prevention helpcard, adapted from The Suicide and Information Center online (ww.siec.ca/helpcard.htm).

If someone you know:

* threatens suicide

* talks or writes about wanting to die

* appears depressed, sad, withdrawn or hopeless

* shows significant changes in behavior, appearance, mood (either from being normal to being depressed or the reverse)

* abuses drugs or alcohol

* deliberately injures himself or herself

* says he or she will not be missed if gone

* gives away treasured belongings

You can help:

* stay calm and listen

* take threats seriously

* let him or her talk about his or her feelings

* be accepting; do not judge

* ask of he or she has suicidal thoughts

* ask how intense or frequent these thoughts are

* ask if he or she has a plan

* ask if he or she has a means to carry out the plan

* don't swear secrecy-tell someone

* assure the person it is okay and necessary to get help

Get help: You cannot do it alone. Accompany the person to your:

* hospital emergency

* mental health services

* police

* family, friend, relative

* clergy, teacher, counselor

* family doctor

* or call your local crisis line

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page