From Despair to Hope: The Faith Community Nurse and Suicide Prevention

Suicide is one of the most pressing yet least spoken-about public health issues in our society and sadly, in many churches. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2023), suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Despite its prevalence, the conversation often remains cloaked in shame, stigma, or silence. For the faith community nurse, suicide prevention is not just a clinical matter, it is a calling. Our role bridges spiritual care and health advocacy, especially when someone utters the most heartbreaking words: "I want to die." 

Not long ago, a young woman recovering from a long battle with COVID-19 uttered these very words to her mother: "I'm going to kill myself." The aftermath of her illness had left her physically depleted and emotionally broken. Steroid treatments and medications had caused rapid weight gain, and she could barely recognize herself. Her confidence eroded. Her purpose seemed blurry. She felt trapped in a body she no longer identified with, and her depression deepened. 

Her mother, alarmed and unsure of what to do, reached out to me not just as a nurse, but as a trusted faith community leader. That moment affirmed why suicide awareness and intervention are critical within our churches and communities. What we do in those pivotal moments matters. 

One of the most dangerous misconceptions is that suicidal statements are attention-seeking rather than life-threatening. But research has shown that most people who die by suicide gave some warning signs (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2023). We must never assume someone won't follow through especially if they've taken the risk to say something out loud. 

Faith community nurses, clergy, and congregants must be trained to listen with empathy and respond with urgency. If someone says they want to harm themselves, treat it as a crisis. The worst outcome is not overreacting it's doing nothing. 

As faith community nurses, we are uniquely positioned to respond in moments of spiritual, emotional, and physical distress. We do not replace therapists or crisis counselors, but we serve as a vital bridge between a cry for help and professional care. 

In this young woman's case, I offered wellness-focused support guidance on nutrition, movement, and hydration but more importantly, I offered presence and hope. We explored her goals, reestablished a small routine, and connected her to a licensed counselor. Soon, the shift began. Her appetite changed. Her outlook brightened. Her weight began to slowly drop but more significantly, her spirit started to rise. 

This is the power of faith-infused, whole-person care. We walk with people, even in the valley of the shadow of death, and gently guide them toward the Light (Koenig, 2012). 

Whether you're a nurse, pastor, ministry leader, or friend, you may be the first person to hear those painful words. Here's what to do: 

1. Stay calm and listen without judgment.
2. Take all suicidal language seriously.
3. Don't leave them alone.
4. Contact professional help.
5. Remove means of harm if possible.
6. Encourage counseling and follow up.
7. Pray—but also act. 

Many people of faith struggle silently because they fear judgment or spiritual shame. They're told to pray harder or have more faith. But we must remember that mental illness is not a spiritual failure it's a human condition. 

Scripture affirms God's nearness in suffering:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18, New International Version, 2011).
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you…" (Jeremiah 29:11, New International Version, 2011).
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2, New International Version, 2011). 

Let these verses be reminders that walking with someone through suicidal thoughts is sacred work. 

Suicide awareness isn't just for therapists or crisis teams it's for the Body of Christ. And the faith community nurse plays a pivotal role in equipping the church to be a place of safety, not silence. When someone reaches out, it's important to answer. When someone cries out, respond. You may be the one person God uses to change the course of a life. 

In the case of this young woman, someone heard her cry. Someone acted. Someone reminded her that her life still had value and that someone can be you, too.