How the Church Can Take the Lead in Suicide Prevention

For many around the world, mental illness is a not just a theoretical issue. Instead, it plays itself out in many ways and can impact nearly every moment of every day. For some, the struggle is manageable; although disruptive, they are still able to function at near normal capacity.

Others, however, have a very different experience. I had an aunt who struggled with mental illness and, tragically, took her own life. Unfortunately, knowing someone who takes his or her own life as a result of mental illness is not that uncommon.

Two studies were conducted by LifeWay Research, one that focused on churchgoer views regarding suicide and the second on pastor views. Both studies were sponsored by the American Association of Christian Counselors, the Liberty University Graduate Counseling program, the Liberty University School of Medicine and the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The studies found that 55 percent of churchgoers say they hear about a suicide in their local community nearly once per year, and 32 percent have had a close family member or acquaintance take his or her own life.

Suicide Prevention: Churches Have a Role

According to these studies, 76 percent of churchgoers agree that suicide is a problem that needs to be proactively addressed in their local communities and 84 percent agree churches have a responsibility to provide resources and support to individuals with mental illness and their families. Overwhelmingly, churchgoers agree that suicide and mental health need to be addressed and that the church has a responsibility to be a leading voice in the conversation.

Among Protestant churchgoers who have had a family member or close acquaintance die by suicide, only 4 percent said that church leaders were aware of the person’s struggles or risk of suicide in the months prior to death; and another 4 percent said that church members were aware.

This is antithetical to how the church should function relationally—our churches should always be places of safety and community for those wrestling with any issue, especially those involving mental health.

Sadly, very few people at risk of suicide are talking to their church communities about their personal struggles. Additionally, only 14 percent of churchgoers reported their church had provided training and resources for ministry leaders to be able to even identify signs of someone at risk of committing suicide in the past year.

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There could be a multitude of reasons for both of these findings, but we as the church and Christians must be more intentional and proactive regarding prevention. Let me throw out a few more stats before we look at where to go from here.

Churches are much more likely to respond after a suicide has already occurred. At the time of their loved one’s death, churchgoers said their local churches responded to their families by praying with them (49 percent), attending the visitation or funeral (43 percent), visiting their families (41 percent), sending cards (32 percent), providing meals (31 percent) and staying in touch after the funeral (30 percent).

These are good ways to minister to hurting families, but notice two things: 1) These percentages are still very low compared to what should be happening, and 2) there is certainly more involvement after than before, and we should definitely be doing more. Specifically, what are some ways for churches to help lower the number of suicides in their communities?

Destigmatize the Conversation

The research shows that 65 percent of pastors speak to their churches in sermons or large group messages about mental illness once a year, rarely or never—another 26 percent only speak about it several times a year.

Sermons break stigmas. When pastors are willing to talk publicly about mental illness, they take away some of the shame associated with these conditions. Churches need to be much more willing to acknowledge and destigmatize the presence of mental health issues in their faith communities.

If churches are already making an attempt to destigmatize mental illness, it may be wise for them to consider changing their approach. The current strategies have proven to be ineffective: 55 percent of churchgoers agree people are more likely to gossip about a suicide than reach out to the family in support. This finding should grieve us and highlight the work we still have to do.

Seek Out the Hurting

Churches should also seek out those who are hurting and offer their time and resources to help. Some specific ways church leaders can support their neighbors who have a mental illness are to ask good questions and let people share their stories. We should always be quick to listen instead of offering judgment. Ultimately, churches need to be generous with their time and resources, even when it is not easy or necessarily convenient.

Be Persistent

Churches need to be persistent in times of pain. It is important for both church leaders and members to continue pursuing relationships even when they are difficult. Research shows that 49 percent of churchgoers who have had a close family member or acquaintance take his or her own life agree that their loved one had withdrawn from most relationships.

Unfortunately, in most congregations today you can disappear fairly easily. Many churches are based more on a consumer model where a group of customers gather together for religious goods and services. When a person disappears from your midst, you probably will not be concerned (if you even notice) because you assume he or she is just attending another church.