According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, on average there are 130 suicides per day in the United States. Churches can offer support and care for community members impacted by suicide.
The NCC’s new resource sheet, A Christian Approach to Suicide Prevention, provides several trainings and resources that have been specifically created for people of faith. These resources can help clergy and lay leaders provide care, assistance, and hope for those who may be considering suicide.
Trainings can help ministers recognize signs of suicide risk, comfort those who experience suicide loss, and integrate strategies for suicide prevention into the life and ministry of local congregations and faith communities.
Additionally, AFSP has recently announced a new Soul Shop for Black Churches program. You can learn more about this new program on AFSP’s website at https://afsp.org/soul-shop#soul-shop-for-black-churches