Any type of illness, in and of itself has an isolating factor to it. If you hear someone sneeze (especially, post-COVID), everyone takes a step back. If you present with symptoms of a fever, you are often told to isolate until you are fever-free. Very quickly, even with the common cold, a person can find themselves depressed and lonely. Infinitely more so, when it comes to the subject of mental health and the subject of suicide.

Within houses of worship there are persistent concerns about the stigma relating to mental health issues. Within this there is a compounded concern, in that houses of worship are often the first to take notice of concerns of individuals, as they will often reach out to their pastor, priest, rabbi, imam, etc. as a trusted source for care. Because of this, I so appreciate this dialog hosted by Rev. Dr. Que English by the National HHS Partnership Center to help decrease the stigma of reaching out to receive help when suicide and other forms of mental health are a concern. Here is the link to an incredible conversation among leaders of various faith traditions talking about this very reality. https://youtu.be/yNp3BmS1-Uw?t=10 This talk entitled, “Ending the Stigma: An Interfaith Discussion on Suicide Prevention,” is so very helpful and am hoping for many, many more conversations. I am thankful for discussions such as these that are beginning to happen more and more in houses of faith to be able to help advance wholistic care for their members.

It is important to note, that as people experience suicidal ideation, this is a spiritual issue that reaches to core of a person’s sense of their self. Because of this it is imperative that religious leaders grow in their comfort levels of being able to enter into and have these types of conversations with their congregations. I admit, these are difficult conversations to have. However I so appreciate dialogs such as this, from a variety of perspectives who are speaking to this struggle and are seeking to overcome these points of stigma for people to be able to receive the help that is needed. If any pastors, ministers or priests from the Christian perspective would like to have a dialog on this subject, and be part of a panel discussion, please reach out to me at chaplainhoffman@gmail.com because I believe the Christian church cannot have enough discussions on this.

If you, or anyone you know would like to talk to someone about suicide, please utilize the nation-wide suicide prevention hotline by simply dialing 988 to talk to someone on the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Here is their website for more information: Lifeline (988lifeline.org)