National Suicide Prevention
Awareness Month

#NotAlone     #SPM20

Lifesaving Measures

By Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe

Here is a list of some things you can be doing right now:

• Increase your knowledge about mental illness and suicide prevention. NAMI is a great source for mental health information and AFSP is a good place to learn more about suicide prevention.
• Create small groups of active members and friends of your congregation with a designated leader. The leader would be responsible for making sure each small group member is contacted each week. This can be done via Zoom or another platform, emails, texts, phone calls, or letters. In the congregation I serve, small groups have lessened the burden for congregational care teams.
• Consider creating interest groups for building kinship. These groups would meet online monthly (or weekly if there is interest). The topics of the groups can vary from book clubs to hobbies. There is no limit if people are willing to share their skills, interests, and hobbies.
• Ask your pastor to host a weekly online gathering time for folx to check-in. There’s no specific topic, just a time to talk with each other.
• Identify any people who might be particularly vulnerable during the pandemic and make sure they are connected to the community. Make sure to note those who live alone and might be feeling isolated, elders living in care settings who are not able to have in-person visits, those who live with ongoing mental health challenges, and those who are struggling with physical health conditions. There may be circumstances in your community that increase the risk for mental health conditions for a particular population (e.g. farmers, factory workers, those who are furloughed or unemployed due to COVID-19). Be sure to include these people on your list for additional outreach.
• Include local resources for mental health care in your church newsletter.
• Online support groups can be started for people experiencing an increase in mental health challenges.
• Online support groups can also be started for those experiencing grief or loss.
• Explore the possibility of getting connective technology to those who don’t have it. For example, can simple tablets be donated or purchased for those who don’t have a smartphone? Are there internet providers in your area offering free or reduced-price services for those in need?
• Name mental health struggles in prayers during worship. It is as important as ever to break the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness.

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Veterans Crisis Line),
  • please call 1-844-493-8255
• For TTY Users:
  • Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
• Text "TALK" to 38255.
• Youth LifeLine, please call 1-800-273-8255. 
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline CHAT.
• Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio Lifeline
  • ayuda en español, 1-888-628-9454.
• The Trevor Project provides support 24/7 at 866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.
• TransLifeline is available 24/7 at 877-565-8860.

VIDEOS ON SUICIDE PREVENTION

• Warning Signs & Risk Factors for Suicide
• How to Tell if a Person is Considering Suicide
• Responding to a Suicidal Person
• Responding to Family Members After a Suicide

• Designing a Service for a Person Who Has Died by Suicide
• Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention: How Faith Communities, Community Groups, and You Can Help

VIDEOS FOR CLERGY: MAKING REFERRALS

• When to refer a congregant
• 8 tips for referring your congregants to appropriate mental health resources
• Developing and maintaining a list of referral resources

Risk Factors

Research has found that 46% of people who die by suicide had a known mental health condition. Several other things may put a person at risk of suicide, including:

• A family history of suicide
• Substance use. Drugs can create mental highs and lows that worsen suicidal thoughts.
• Intoxication. More than 1 in 3 people who die from suicide are under the influence of alcohol at the time of death.
• Access to firearms
• A serious or chronic medical illness
• Gender. Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide.
• A history of trauma or abuse
• Prolonged stress
• A recent tragedy or loss

Support In A Crisis

There are a few ways to approach a suicide-crisis:

• Talk openly and honestly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like: “Do you have a plan for how you would kill yourself?”
• Remove means such as guns, knives or stockpiled pills
• Calmly ask simple and direct questions, like “Can I help you call your psychiatrist?”
• If there are multiple people around, have one person speak at a time
• Express support and concern
• Don’t argue, threaten or raise your voice
• Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong
• If you’re nervous, try not to fidget or pace
• Be patient

Blessings,

Rev. Alan Johnson, Chair

Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe, Vice-Chair

Robin Kempster, Parish Nurse, UCC MHN Secretary

Hannah Campbell Gustafson, MDiv, MSW, UCC MHN Treasurer

Rev. Amy Petré Hill, JD, Member-at-large

Jon Gilbert Martinez, MDiv, Member-at-large

 

Rev. Jack Abel

Bishop Allyson Abrams, DMin

Dr. Vicki K. Harvey, PsyD

Rev. Dr. Marty Kuchma

Rev. Lisa LeSueur

Rev. Kirk Moore

Rev. Megan Snell

Rev. Shernell J. Edney Stilley

Rev. Dr. Jan Remer-Osborn