ELCA Council Adopts Message on Suicide Prevention

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a "Message on Suicide Prevention" Nov. 14 and called on units of the church to incorporate the spirit of the message in their work. Plans call for the message to be distributed to all ELCA congregations early next year.
The council met here Nov. 12-14. It functions as the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. Assemblies are held every other year; the next is August 8-14, 2001, in Indianapolis.
The council's action follows approval of the message in mid-October by the board of the ELCA Division for Church in Society. The board transmitted it to the council for adoption.
ELCA messages draw attention to and encourage action on social issues.
The suicide prevention message encourages members, congregations and affiliated institutions of the ELCA "to learn more about suicide and its prevention in their communities, to ask what they can do and to work with others to prevent suicide."
"Our efforts to prevent suicide grow out of our obligation to protect and promote life, our hope in God amid suffering and adversity, and our love for our troubled neighbor," according to the message.
More than 30,000 people in the United States commit suicide each year, and nearly 500,000 people must receive emergency room treatment because of a suicide attempt, the message says.
The full text of the message is available on the ELCA's Web site at www.elca.org/dcs/suicide_prevention.html.
Elsie and Jerry Weyrauch, members of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, an ELCA congregation in Marietta, Ga., were instrumental in drafting the message. The Weyrauchs worked with the Rev. John R. Stumme, acting director for studies, ELCA Division for Church in Society. The Weyrauchs addressed the council as it considered approving the message.
The Weyrauchs have been active in suicide prevention advocacy and education since the death of their 34-year-old daughter, Terri Ann, in Chicago in 1987. Her death was ruled a suicide. They formed the Suicide Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN USA), and worked with the U.S. Congress to issue resolutions on the issue. They also helped write "The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide." In that, Dr. David Satcher, assistant secretary for health and surgeon general, said suicide is a serious public health problem.
"What approval of the message means to me is a whole lot of people like Terri Weyrauch will be given permission to get help and will be encouraged to get help," said Elsie Weyrauch following the council's affirmative vote.
"This message will speak to all churches, all faiths, that suicide is no longer an issue that we can ignore," said Jerry Weyrauch. "It's an = issue we can do something about."
The message includes facts about suicide, discusses attitudes about suicide, and offers ideas for receiving and giving help to people contemplating or affected by suicide. The message speaks of ministry with loved ones after suicide, suggests action to prevent suicides and lists suicide prevention organizations and resources.
Jerry Weyrauch added he hopes the message will motivate congregations to become aware of the magnitude of suicide in their own communities, and he hopes members will want to learn the warning signs for people who may = be at risk for suicide. The message is a resource for clergy and for lay members, he said. It may also serve as a resource for young people, Jerry Weyrauch added.
With the Weyrauchs at the council meeting was Jade Smalls, a Northwestern University senior. Smalls, currently Miss Illinois and runner-up in the 1999 Miss America pageant, said she speaks to school-aged young people about suicide prevention.
Smalls, a Christian who attends a non-denominational church, said "spirituality is the number one factor" in preventing suicide. Many school-age children are affected in some way by suicides, she said.
"Young people want more than ever to hear the message of life," Smalls said. "They see death so often."
The Rev. Kirkwood J. Havel, council member, Midland, Mich., expressed appreciation for the message. In his role as a parish pastor, he said he confronts the issue of suicide frequently.
Donald G. Hayes, council member, Winston-Salem, N.C., said he is "so pleased" the church is taking a leadership role in suicide prevention. Hayes told the council his son, Mark, died as a result of suicide in 1978.
"Clearly, we must develop a better understanding of mental health issues," he said.
In addition to adoption of the message, the council was told that a "Suicide Prevention Endowment Fund" had been established through the ELCA Foundation. The fund was established by an anonymous donor, said the Rev. Donald M. Hallberg, executive director, ELCA Foundation. The fund will make annual distributions to the ELCA Division for Church in Society to support suicide prevention education programs, Hallberg said.
The fund is "a fitting and appropriate place" for people affected by suicide to provide memorials, Jerry Weyrauch said.

[*Editor's note: Gifts to the Suicide Prevention Endowment Fund may be
sent to the ELCA Foundation, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, Ill. 60631.
Information is available by calling 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2972.]

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html