Elder Rasband Highlights Suicide Prevention Resources for Members and Leaders
Contributed By Camille West, ChurchofJesusChrist.org Church News
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at a news conference on January 17, 2018, at the Utah State Capitol. He and other civic leaders have joined a community task force to address teen suicide.
Article Highlights
- New resources added to suicide.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
- Suicide prevention lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
- Crisis textline: text START to 741-741.
“To those who feel alone, rejected, or marginalized or who feel, for any reason, that taking their life might be the solution to their problems, know that you are loved, valued, and respected. Talk to someone. You don’t need to suffer alone. We love you and we need you.” —Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Related Links
The Church has added new resources to its website suicide.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to help leaders and members prevent suicide and to help leaders minister to individuals and their families impacted by suicide.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talked about the updated resources at a press conference January 17 the Utah State Capitol, where Utah Governor Gary Herbert announced the creation of a new state task force on youth suicide prevention.
“We are committed to doing all we can do,” Elder Rasband said, “not only in our congregations throughout the state, but in working with all of you in every mode—church, school, society. We must all come together to face this issue.”
The Church will continue to support efforts like the governor’s new task force, Elder Rasband said. “Church leaders have emphasized the need to foster communities of inclusion where no one is bullied, mistreated, or excluded for who they are,” he said. “The Church has supported past community efforts to address teen safety and health and express respect and love for all of God’s children.”
Following the press conference, Elder Rasband said, “To those who feel alone, rejected, or marginalized or who feel, for any reason, that taking their life might be the solution to their problems, know that you are loved, valued, and respected. Talk to someone. You don’t need to suffer alone. We love you and we need you.”
An official letter from Church headquarters dated January 17 and released January 19 addressed to priesthood leaders outlines helpful resources and encourages members and leaders to “learn about and use trusted local resources to take advantage of formal suicide prevention training and to support community initiatives to prevent suicide.”
Resources
The updated suicide.ChurchofJesusChrist.org has helpful resources for those:
Other Church resources include:
- Counseling and ministering helps for leaders and ward council members at ministeringresources.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
- Church magazine articles about suicide and depression in the September 2016 and 2017 issues of the Church magazines:
- Information for LGBT individuals, who may be at greater risk of suicide, and their families at mormonandgay.ChurchofJesusChrist.org in the Understanding section.
