An unacknowledged crisis haunts the church as we fail to deal with the causes and aftermath of suicide and the stigma society often places on victims and their loved ones. How can we stand up for life and love these people as the Body of Christ? In Love Me to Life, Veronica Sites responds from personal experience, serious research and training, and a biblical perspective. Combining these crucial elements, she presents a plan for responding with the gospel message as we live out the message of Jesus in our churches. Crucial to this plan is involving leaders, but also in educating and empowering all members to understand and positively impact those in need of support. In support of this, she provides detailed information on the situation as we find it in most churches. She then looks at scripture for guidance in how we should deal with those who most need our support and sometimes active intervention. Finally, she looks at how the church can follow up and build the lives and ministries of the church to those in need. This book is filled with practical experience, detailed data, and scriptural support. It can provide the basis for a church to plan how they will acknowledge and respond to the suicide crisis. Individuals and small groups can benefit greatly as well, but we recommend studying this issue at the congregational level so that everyone is prepared to love their neighbors — whether down the pew or down the street — into a life of restoration and identity in Christ and not identified by a tragic event. Thus, this book is for everyone.

Winner of the Resource of the Year award and a first-place award in resources for ministry from the Association of Catholic Publishers and a third-place award in pastoral ministry books from the Catholic Media Association. Many pastoral leaders feel ill-equipped to respond to the turmoil of those who face the death by suicide of a loved one. Responding to Suicide is the first book written for Catholic leaders that takes a holistic approach to understanding suicide and ministering effectively in its aftermath. More than a dozen leading mental health practitioners, Catholic theologians, and pastoral care experts share how best to respond to suicide as leaders in parishes, schools, healthcare systems, and other Church settings. The book offers a cross-disciplinary approach that provides basic information about the central role of mental health in suicide and clarifies Church teaching about suicide, funerals and burials for those who have died by suicide, and their afterlife. The National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that suicide was the tenth most common cause of death among Americans of all ages in 2017 and the second leading cause of death among fifteen to twenty-four year-olds. Death by suicide is usually sudden, often violent, and frequently comes at the end of a long and difficult struggle with a mental illness. Heaped on top of that is a social stigma that leaves loved ones in shock and often burdened with shame. Responding to Suicide addresses common concerns of the bereaved following a suicide: skepticism that Catholic leaders will understand; fear that the Church teaches that their loved one is in hell; and belief that they will find little if any support in the Church. More than a dozen contributors from across the spectrum of Catholic life provide rich guidance rooted in firsthand experience of suicide loss. Contributors include Deacon Ed Shoener, Bishop John P. Dolan, Msgr. Charles Pope, Leticia Adams, Archbishop Wilton Gregory, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, and clinical experts in the field of mental health and suicide. They share personal stories of loss, grief, hope, and healing, and clear up misconceptions about Church teaching. They offer practical takeaways for pastoral leaders: dos and don’ts when talking about suicide guidance for preaching and planning funerals information on the role of mental illnesses in suicide resource lists for those who grieve as well as for your own professional development suggested protocols for ministering to a school or parish community following a suicide ideas about forming parish outreach ministries to the bereaved that address the needs of suicide loss

"There's so much silence around suicide in the church that it is quite literally killing us." --Rachael Keefe Would you know how to respond if the person sitting next to you in your pew was contemplating suicide? Every year, millions of people engage in suicidal activity, including men, women, and young people in our faith communities. Yet the Church remains largely silent around the topics of mental health, depression, and suicide prevention. How can you and your faith community be prepared to recognize and respond to those struggling for their very lives in your church? In The Lifesaving Church, pastor Rachael Keefe shatters the taboo of suicide by sharing her own painful story of life-long depression and suicidality--and how her various faith communities responded, for better and for worse. Opening a window into her suicidal behaviors as a young person, Keefe helps us recognize the signs and struggles of those who suffer silently. Reminding us of the Church's call to be the Body of Christ for each other, Keefe empowers us to recognize the hurting in our communities and recover the lifesaving message of the Gospel-- forgiveness, acceptance and love--that helped her to heal. With chapters on how to educate your church in suicide prevention, group study reflections around the common questions surrounding suicide, and specific resources, scriptures, and prayers for clergy, suicide loss survivors, and those struggling with suicidality, The Lifesaving Church is critical reading for faith communities seeking abundant life for all of its members.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.

Suicide is a leading cause of death. More people die from suicide than in all of the combined wars, conflicts, and natural disasters across the globe. Suicide is also an issue that few seem willing to discuss. Suicide remains a hidden or taboo topic. Stigma, culture, and theological misunderstanding are contributing factors to this reality. Silent No More: A Christian Response to Suicide examines how scripture, spiritual practices, and congregations can address suicide. Religion / spirituality is frequently listed as a strong protective factor against suicide. Years of research, studies, and literature show that religion / spirituality is even stronger when beliefs, religious activity, and community are engaged to support people at risk of suicide. Religion / spirituality must be fully integrated into suicide prevention plans and efforts if a total wellness approach of spirit, mind, and body are to be utilized. The book also addresses that Christian congregations must have love-soaked people who are ready to provide community and fellowship to hurting people inside and outside of the church doors. The author concludes the book with seven steps that will enable congregations and churches leaders to help those who are at risk of suicide. These strategies can make simple strides to address suicide and help hurting people in any community. It is time for Christian communities to rejoin the battle against suicide. Christianity has a rich legacy of caring for people in crisis, historically having started hospitals, mental health centers, and compassionate care ministries. There is a way for Christianity to regain its voice and care for people at risk of suicide. It is time for Christians to be silent no more.