Suicide Prevention Resource Guide
Greetings friends,
We pray that each of you and your families are well and enjoying these last days of summer. Thank you for your all the many ways each of you continue to express your support for WomanPreach! Inc.
Our alumni/ae and brand ambassadors have been busy over these past few months. We will share much more about that and our Fall programming and future collaborations in our next newsletter. However, September is Suicide Awareness Month, and we want to share some information and invite you to our next WomanPreach! Inc. Board sponsored event. Thursday, 14 September at 7:00p.m. (EST), our board will be sponsoring their second virtual program event for the year. “What Shall We Say to These Things? Suicide Awareness and the Church”
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website, “suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.” Yet, why is it that we very rarely talk about or preach about it in our churches and/or faith communities? How do we address the shame, stigma that is attached to the topic of suicide and the church? How can we express compassion and not condemnation in our sacred spaces for people that are struggling with mental health challenges, grief, and pain? So, what then shall we say to these things? Please join us on Thursday, 14 September at 7:00p.m. (EST) as our guests will share their experiences and expertise to address many of these critical questions. In addition, our guests will help dispel some myths and misconceptions about death by suicide; discuss best practices and useful language to employ in our churches and faith communities.
As you know, the WomanPreach! Way is about cultivating authentic prophetic voices and inspiring compelling preaching. There are too many people suffering and dying for us to remain silent. THIS is who we are. THIS is our work. Will you join us?
For more information, or if you have any questions or concerns, you can reach WomanPreach! at programs@womanpreach.org.
Rev. Dionne P. Boissiere, MDiv
WomanPreach! Inc. Board Chair
