KAREN MASON
InterVarsity Press
P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426
World Wide Web: www.ivpress.com
Email: email@ivpress.com
©2014 by Karen Mason
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from InterVarsity Press.
InterVarsity Press® is the book-publishing division of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA®, a movement of students and faculty active on campus at hundreds of universities, colleges and schools of nursing in the United States of America, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. For information about local and regional activities, write Public Relations Dept., InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, 6400 Schroeder Rd., P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895, or visit the IVCF website at www.intervarsity.org.
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
While any stories in this book are true, some names and identifying information may have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
Cover design: David Fassett
Images:
feeling blue watercolor: © stereohype/iStockphoto
blank lined paper: © GrabillCreative/iStockphoto
ISBN 978-0-8308-9647-9 (digital)
ISBN 978-0-8308-4117-2 (print)
This book is dedicated to my parents, Randall and Alice Mathews,
who modeled for me how to build lives worth living.
Contents
2 Shattering Myths About Suicide
3 Suicide and Christian Theology
5 Helping Someone in a Suicide Crisis
6 Helping a Survivor of Attempted Suicide
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My clients have taught me the most about suicide prevention. The courage with which they live challenging lives has been inspiring. The many clergy who generously shared their experiences have been no less inspiring. I gratefully acknowledge the Lilly Theological Research Grants Program, administered by the Association of Theological Schools, which made possible two of my research studies of clergy and their engagement with suicide. I am appreciative of those who have collaborated with me on these projects: Dr. James D. Wines Jr., Dr. Monica Geist, Dr. Raymond Pendleton and Dr. Pablo Polischuk. My student assistants have provided invaluable help. I couldn’t have completed this work without them. Thanks to Elizabeth Bousa, Rebekah Doreau, Heather Thornburg, Day Marshall and Richard Kuo. The thoughtful feedback on previous drafts from my parents and my editor, David Congdon, has been invaluable. I claim all mistakes as mine.
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About Preventing Suicide: A Handbook for Pastors, Chaplains and Pastoral Counselorsv 12th Annual Outreach Resource of the Year What is the church's role in suicide prevention? While we tend to view the work of suicide prevention as the task of professional therapists and doctors, the church can also play a vital role. Studies show that religious faith is an important factor reducing the risk of suicide. Yet many pastors, chaplains and pastoral counselors feel overwhelmed and unprepared to prevent suicides. In this practical handbook, psychologist Karen Mason equips ministry professionals to work with suicidal individuals. Integrating theology and psychology, she shows how pastoral caregivers can be agents of hope, teaching the significance of life, monitoring those at risk and intervening when they need help. Because church leaders are often present in people's lives in seasons of trouble and times of crisis, they can provide comfort in the midst of suffering and offer guidance for the future. When our church members struggle in the darkness, the darkness need not overcome them. Discover how you and your church can be proactive in caring for those at risk of self-harm. |
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