Mental Health in Ministry: Ministering to Those Considering Suicide is a Course
Full course description
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The Reality of Suicide
While suicide is a topic we like to avoid, suicidal thoughts and actions are actually more common than we care to admit. The lecture will briefly explore the prevalence of suicide as well as the ramifications of it. A video is also offered that will remind us that this topic crosses age, culture, gender, and more; it is a human issue that impacts us all.
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Myth or Fact
In spite of the prevalence of suicide, myths about it abound. This video looks at a number of statements, and asks you—the listener—to help determine whether they are myth or fact.
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Biblical Considerations
As we reflect on this topic of suicide, it is important for us to pause and consider what God and the Bible might have to say about this topic. Although not exhaustive, this lecture provides some opening thoughts.
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What Can We Do? Identify Those Who Are At Risk
As we reflect upon the prevalence of suicide as well as the way the Bible addresses pain and suffering, we may feel an even greater urgency to DO something. But what can we do? In these videos, we introduce 5 steps that you can take to help those around you; we also dive into the first step—identifying those who are at risk (both in general and more immediately).
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What Can We Do? Enhance Protective Factors
The second step for helping to address suicide is to create and enhance protective factors within your community. Protective factors are things that decrease the likelihood someone will turn to suicide when they are distressed. This lecture names and describes specific protective factors that are relevant to ministry contexts.
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What Can We Do? Reduce Stigma
The third step for helping to address suicide is to reduce stigma—around mental health, professional counseling, suicide, and related topics. This video lecture talks more about how stigma may manifest and can be overcome.
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What Can We Do? Interact Compassionately & Effectively
The fourth step for helping to address suicide is to learn to interact with those who are struggling in compassionate and effective ways. In this video lecture, we review the types of questions to ask, where to take the conversation, and how to begin planning for safety.
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What Can We Do? Pursue Ongoing Development & Connect to Resources
The fifth and last step for helping to address suicide is to not stop here! While taking this course is an enormous and significant step in your journey, you are encouraged in this last segment to think about your next step in being equipped and supportive of those who are struggling. As you will hear in the video, this could be small steps like connecting to resources or larger steps like further training.