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[Episcopal News Service] The Diocese of Atlanta in Georgia is recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month by hosting a three-session, online faith-based suicide prevention training program on September 12, 19 and 26.

“When we as a diocese started looking around, we didn’t see very much by way of teachings and support for families who’ve had to endure losing a loved one who died by suicide, or how to look around and identify people who may be at risk,” Atlanta Bishop Robert Wright told Episcopal News Service. “This brand of grief is unique, and that’s why the diocese developed this resource.”

World Suicide Prevention Day has been observed every September 10 since 2003.

The diocese’s virtual training program is based on its Keep/Watch Congregational Suicide Prevention resource, which compiles the latest statistical data and evidence-based information alongside Scripture and the Book of Common Prayer. Holle Tubbs, director of diocesan youth ministries, and Mary Chase Mize, a licensed professional counselor, educator and master-level Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training facilitator, co-wrote Keep/Watch, which is available online. The resource provides a deep dive into the most effective methods to approach people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. It also explains how the Episcopal Church historically has, according to Tubbs, “not been a protective factor institutionally” when addressing suicide.

Institutional discussions about suicide often have not been helpful. “We’ve either ignored it or we’ve over-spiritualized it. Or we’ve just outright stigmatized it,” Tubbs told ENS.

Wright said, “I think there’s some outdated thinking and theology that has a lot to do with shame and guilt…We still talk in hushed tones, but we’ve got to talk about it.”

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, especially among men and non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2022, more than 49,000 deaths were ruled a suicide, an increase of 2.6% from 2021. Worldwide, about 726,000 people die by suicide annually, according to the World Health Organization.

At its 73rd General Convention in 2000, the Episcopal Church passed Resolution D008, pledging prayer, support and advocacy for suicide prevention awareness. In 2021, General Convention passed Resolution C014, which recognized that “clergy and adults who work with youth are often on the frontlines of suicide prevention.” Under C014, institutions and diocesan programs are encouraged to offer four hours of evidence-based suicide prevention training education for priests, deacons and any adults who work with younger people.

Additionally, congregations are encouraged “to call on state and federal leaders to develop and implement strategies to increase access to quality mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention services.”

No resolution dedicated explicitly to suicide prevention was proposed for the 81st General Convention in June, which Wright said is “ironic” because suicide rates have increased since the 80th General Convention in 2021.

“This means we’re talking about it less even though the numbers are going up, which means more people—more families— are suffering,” he said.

Mize, who is a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, told ENS that she and Tubbs wrote Keep/Watch’s curriculum using plain language, easily followed by anyone, no matter their academic or professional background.

“We need to identify the cause of hurting. In the curriculum, we look beyond what visibility practices can look like and aim to identify the people in our community who are hurting and being able to understand not just who might be at risk of suicide, but also who might be grieving suicide loss,” Mize said. “We really get into the details of what suicide ideation means and what its components are, whether it’s perceived burdensomeness or when a person feels like they don’t belong anywhere.”

Mize and Tubbs said they began working on Safe/Watch in response to some members of the Diocese of Atlanta dying by suicide in recent years, including a high school senior and a priest. The resource’s name is based on the story of the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus asks his disciples to stay awake and keep watch with him.

“There’s this assumption that someone more qualified will handle situations related to suicide … but we are going to show you ways that you can strategically do the things. Anyone can make a difference,” Tubbs said.

September has been designated National Suicide Prevention Month since 2008. It’s a time to remember people who have died by suicide, raise awareness, acknowledge those who’ve been impacted by suicide and connect people with suicidal ideation to treatment services.

In recent years, mental health experts have been advocating to use the words “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide” because the latter implies criminality or guilt. “Successful,” “failed” or “completed” are also problematic words when referring to suicide, according to experts. Wright said this distinction is important because it can create more conversations on the subject.

“The old thinking was if you died by suicide or died at your own hands, somehow you would be excluded from God’s love and mercy,” Wright said. “Reframing the conversation and providing resources to people is the right thing to do because God’s love and mercy is extended to all.”

Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress can call the 24-hour Suicide & Crisis Lifeline toll-free at 9-8-8 to receive local mental health assistance, or they can text 435748 for support and resource information. Having health insurance isn’t required. The Episcopal Church’s Department of Faith Formation also offers a list of mental health and suicide prevention resources on its website. This includes free online intervention training through LivingWorks, creator of safeTalk, an evidence-based training program that teaches participants how to identify the warning signs of someone contemplating suicide and how to prevent it.

—Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal News Service. She can be reached at skorkzan@episccopalchurch.org.