Resource Tag: PASTORAL COUNSELLING

Suicide is a pressing issue in Nigeria, often linked to the stigmatisation of mental health rooted in supernatural beliefs. Revealing one’s mental health status is an invitation stigma, which discourages disclosure. The study of the problem of suicide has been reported in various academic publications that deal with the driving factors or the aftermath of […]

Many pastoral leaders feel ill-equipped to respond to the turmoil of those who face the death by suicide of a loved one. Responding to Suicide is the first book written for Catholic leaders that takes a holistic approach to understanding suicide and ministering effectively in its aftermath. More than a dozen leading mental health practitioners, Catholic theologians, […]

Background In African societies, the path-to-care that the ill and their relatives seek via consultation of traditional and religious healers is related to the concept of the causation, nature and origin of mental illness. There is a shortage of mental health personnel and facilities in Nigeria; hence, alternative healthcare providers such as Religious Leaders are […]

This new resource, informed by faith community leaders and suicide prevention experts, aims to help equip faith leaders with the capabilities needed to prevent suicide and provide care and comfort for those affected by suicide.

Many pastors, chaplains and pastoral counselors play a vital role as agents of hope to people who are struggling, but most of them feel overwhelmed and unprepared to prevent suicides. Informed by her work as a psychologist, Karen Mason’s guide to suicide prevention is an essential resource for proactive pastors.

This report presents the results of a study commissioned to assess the specific needs of churches, religious bodies, & faith-based oganizations in relation to the suicide prevention strategy for Northern Ireland. Information is provided on the research methodology, quantitative findings, the clergy & their communities, causal explanations of suicide, theological views on suicide, the experience […]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s internal employee assistance program has a proactive approach to suicide prevention & response, including a standard of care & a suicide response protocol. Factors that contribute to the suicide of an agent include depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, frustration, firearms, & management response. Suicide in the Federal Bureau of Investigation is […]

This chapter addresses the spiritual dimensions of police suicides. Spirituality is a two-edged sword: while it can be an asset in dealing with the problem, it also can be viewed as suspect. Both suicide & spirituality are emotionally charged issues, begging to be addressed in conjunction. This chapter explores the issues within the law enforcement […]

In 1994, the author’s adult son died by suicide. This book is a collection of the sermons he preached on the subject – the first one three weeks after his son’s death & the final one, nine years later. The book chronicles Ritter’s difficult & life-changing healing process.

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The authors conducted a community-based sample of 261 parents bereaved by the violent deaths (i.e. accident, suicide, or homicide) of their 12- to 28-year old children. Parents were observed over time, & data were collected from several sources. The findings showed that of six individual, family, & community resources examined, none of the resources seemed […]

In these letters to the editor, the authors respond to an article by Hirschfeld & Russell on the treatment of suicidal patients (see SIEC #971063). Issues raised include: the failure to emphasize the importance of psychodynamic formulation & brief psychotherapy in suicidal crises; the biases of epidemiologic studies of suicide; pastoral care for those who […]

The reviewer calls this book the collected wisdom of 20 prefessionals in medicine, mental health & pastoral care from a number of Judeo-Christian theological perspectives, presented in a concise, well organized text that focuses on a major social issue in a way that is both practical & challenging. Case studies are relevant to those with […]

Kushner, a rabbi, wrote this book a few years after the death of his son. He wrote for people who still wanted to believe in God after being hurt by life but whose anger made it difficult for them to hold onto their faith & be comforted by religion. Some of the chapters in this […]

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This book is a manual for all caregivers, volunteers & paraprofessionals regarding front line intervention (emotional first aid). The book provides step-by-step procedures for dealing with the emotional emergencies of others & special situations such as suicide intervention. Frontline intervention issues of helping people under emotional duress & building relationships with people in crisis are […]

This chapter discusses the meaningfulness of funerals, rituals & anniversaries for suicide survivors. The author shares his belief that a death by suicide should be interpreted in terms of its medical rather than moral implications for the benefit of surviving members. He notes that the clergy play a variety of roles in the grieving process […]