Faith in Action: Four-Part 2020 Suicide Prevention Summit Series for Faith Leaders Kicks off This Month

The third annual Suicide Prevention Summit for Faith Leaders, which offer participants tools and skills to improve the mental well-being of congregants and communities and to provide care and comfort to all those affected by suicide attempts or loss, will take place as a four-part virtual series from August 27 through September 17.

The Summit, which is sponsored by NAMI-Utah and the Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition with support from Intermountain Healthcare, recognizes the pivotal role that diverse faith leaders play in supporting mental health and helping prevent suicide.

Registration is free and available at bit.ly/FaithInAction2020.

“The Utah Suicide Prevention Coalition recognizes the vital role faith leaders play in preventing suicide within their communities,” said Benée Larsen, program director of NAMI Utah’s Prevention by Design program and co-chair of the Utah Suicide Prevention Faith Advisory Group. “We look forward to coming together to learn actionable steps we can take to offer hope to those who are struggling mentally and spiritually with thoughts of suicide.”

The theme of the third annual event is Faith in Action. A consensus statement prepared by the statewide advisory group organizing the Summit notes that “faith comes alive when we act on it, which then inspires a ripple effect of hopeful action in others.”

“Faith Leaders in Utah have a pivotal role not only in helping prevent suicide but in assisting their members to cope and reach out to one another when such a tragic event occurs,” said advocate and advisory group member Pamela Atkinson. “Dividing the sessions into four different days will allow faith leaders to invite others to watch the presentations and have meaningful discussions afterwards – this will create a climate that will help to break the ‘conspiracy of silence’ that often exists when suicide is mentioned.”

The schedule for the series is as follows:

• August 27, 12-1:30 p.m., Protective Action: The basics of suicide prevention within the faith domain, including how to respond proactively and lovingly to those at risk for suicide.
• September 3, 12-1 p.m., Inclusive Action: Helping participants understand the need for inclusion and how faith leaders can strengthen the inclusion all congregants need.
• September 10, 12-1 p.m., Healing Action: Creating a compassionate and effective approach to caring for persons bereaved by suicide loss.
• September 17, 12-1:30 p.m., Faith in Action: How to incorporate what has been learned into faithful actions to prevent suicide.

This summit will provide leaders of faith communities throughout Utah with an important opportunity to learn skills to help prevent suicide and to minister more effectively to those who are struggling, according to Travis Baer, licensed clinical social worker with Family Services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and an Advisory Group co-chair.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is honored and grateful to work closely with other faith leaders, dedicated public servants, healthcare professionals, and business leaders to help those in our faith communities who are in need of our love and support,” said Baer.

“The last few months have reminded us of the importance of health, hope, and human connection. This is a meaningful time to come together, to strengthen our skills, and to catalyze action,” said Morissa Henn, Intermountain Healthcare Community Health director.

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