Together, we can prevent suicide.

“When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘do not harm yourself, for we are all here!’” Acts 16:27-28

Paul’s words, his compassion for his jailer, was a suicide intervention that saved a life that day!

Suicide is not a “topic” most of us want to discuss, much less take a class on. Shrouded in
shame, secrecy, judgement, and awkwardness, talking about suicide often feels taboo. Many of us would rather avoid the topic than have a conversation about suicide.
However, from a public health perspective, suicide is preventable. Yet far too many people
don’t know how to recognize the signs of suicide thoughts. Many are unsure what to do if
thoughts of suicide are shared.

Therefore, training is the key in this life saving work. Training is particularly vital for those who work closely with congregations in ministry settings. Pastors, deacons, and other church professionals/volunteers often are the first to see signs of suicide and have opportunity to intervene.

Additionally, pastors, deacons, and other church professionals/volunteers are often directly
involved in the work of suicide postvention following a death by suicide or a suicide attempt. Good and effective postvention, ranging from direct care to an effective sermon following a suicide, can be key to saving the lives of those who have just experienced suicide loss.

Suicide is preventable:
• Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t want to die. Instead they want the pain to
end.
• Noticing signs of suicide is possible before persons decide to act on thoughts of suicide.
• Suicide prevention is rooted in the call of God: “[God] has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness the
prisoners . . .” Isaiah 61:1

Suicide thoughts/behaviors often come with warning signs:
• Talking about wanting to die or kill oneself
• Looking for a way to kill oneself
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings

Suicide is a public health crisis:
• As of 2020 (last full year data compiled) suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the
U.S.
• There were 45,979 known deaths by suicide in 2020 though due to the nature of how
deaths are reported the number is likely much higher
• There were an estimated 1,200,000 suicide attempts in 2020 and again, that number is
likely much higher.
• The suicide rate is highest among middle aged white men (though white women have
more suicide attempts).
• In 2021 66.21% of South Carolina communities lacked enough mental health
professionals to serve their residents
• Nearly three times as many people died by suicide in South Carolina than by alcohol
related motor vehicle crashes.
• The suicide rate in South Carolina is 2.79% higher than the national average (Rate per
100,000 population Nationally was 13.48% with South Carolina at 16.27%).
• 54% of persons in the U.S. have been impacted by suicide in some way.
• It is estimated that 10% of the U.S. population has thought of death by suicide. That
means in a congregation of 450 members, 45 of them have had thoughts of suicide.

Suicide prevention about justice and inclusion since rates are higher among:
• Persons who are LGBTQIA+
• Veterans
• Indigenous Persons
• Those who have experienced suicide loss
• Disaster survivors
• Persons with Substance Use Disorder, Opiate Use Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder
• Persons suffering with depression
• Persons with prior suicide attempts

 For questions or to learn more information, please contact Pastor Greg Van Dyke.