Why You Should Be Talking About Suicide

Most people have been impacted by suicide in one way or another. They know someone who has died by suicide, they have lost a loved one to suicide, they have witnessed others speak of suicide, or they may have even considered suicide themselves. But, how much do they really talk about it? While awareness of mental illness and suicide has increased and the stigma is beginning to decrease, suicide rates continue to climb among most age groups. As a society, we have made great strides in addressing mental health - but we still have so much more to do. 

Beacon of Light began as a response to a hurting community that was deeply devastated by suicide. St. Andrew Methodist Church decided that they were tired of being on the defense when it comes to mental illness and answered a call for change. After two tragic losses of young people to suicide, several individuals stepped up to work towards turning heartache into healing. Recognizing that suicide is not aligned with God’s will and that the Kingdom of Heaven calls us to love and care for ALL people, the pastors and community of St. Andrew realized that change can start within the church, and they began to talk about it. These talks led to actions and because of these actions, great things are happening. As it is clearly stated in Romans 8, NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord. This includes mental illness and suicide. 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This month is dedicated to promoting awareness and advocates, professionals, survivors and allies alike will be giving their all to spread the word and reduce the stigma. This is a difficult topic to discuss. It’s not likely to be talked about at dinner parties or at your child’s soccer game. But it should be and here’s why. Talking about something normalizes it, makes if feel less scary and opens a door for someone to share an intimate struggle.We don’t want to normalize suicide, we want to normalize the fact that there’s help. We want to open the door to resources available and conversations to be had without the fear of judgment. 

Many avoid talking about suicide because they’ve heard certain myths that make them believe it will do more harm than good. Simply stated, these myths are not true. Consider the following ideas: 

• Talking about suicide puts the idea in someone’s head.
  • In reality, talking about suicide with someone who is considering it provides relief, reduces anxiety about the thoughts in their head that scare them beyond belief, and shows them that you care.   
• Suicide cannot be prevented or only experts can prevent it.
  • The truth is, suicide prevention is everybody’s responsibility and suicide is the most preventable form of death. 
• People do not share their plans about suicide.
  • Actually, most people considering suicide communicate their intent sometime leading up to the week preceding the attempt.

At Beacon of Light and St. Andrew Methodist Church, we are encouraging even our youngest friends to talk about mental illness and suicide. Hope Squad is a nationally recognized organization designed to train students to talk about and recognize signs of suicide and mental health, direct others on where to get help and provide hope in their communities. Working together, St. Andrew and Beacon of Light have created a Hope Squad within the Student Ministry Program that consists of 10 middle and high school students and 5 adult advisors. The St. Andrew Hope Squad is active within the church providing awareness and a much needed listening ear to many students. Lives are being changed and saved through the presence, kindness and advocacy of these students. If they can do it, I know that we can all play a part in tackling this epidemic. 

Will you join us in finding the courage to talk about the difficult topics? It might feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. It doesn’t have to be weird unless you make it weird, right? So embrace the awkwardness and go for it. You never know when you might just save a life. 

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If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to Beacon of Light. For immediate needs, call or text 988, The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

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