wfn.org | ELCA Council Adopts Message on Suicide Prevention

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 22, 1999

ELCA COUNCIL ADOPTS MESSAGE ON SUICIDE PREVENTION
99-296-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA) adopted a "Message on Suicide Prevention" Nov. 14
and called on units of the church to incorporate the spirit of the message
in their work.  Plans call for the message to be distributed to all ELCA
congregations early next year.
     The council met here Nov. 12-14.  It functions as the ELCA's board of
directors and serves as the legislative authority of the church between
churchwide assemblies.  Assemblies are held every other year; the next is
August 8-14, 2001, in Indianapolis.
     The council's action follows approval of the message in mid-October
by the board of the ELCA Division for Church in Society.  The board
transmitted it to the council for adoption.
     ELCA messages draw attention to and encourage action on social
issues.
     The suicide prevention message encourages members, congregations and
affiliated institutions of the ELCA "to learn more about suicide and its
prevention in their communities, to ask what they can do and to work with
others to prevent suicide."
     "Our efforts to prevent suicide grow out of our obligation to protect
and promote life, our hope in God amid suffering and adversity, and our
love for our troubled neighbor," according to the message.
     More than 30,000 people in the United States commit suicide each
year, and nearly 500,000 people must receive emergency room treatment
because of a suicide attempt, the message says.
     The full text of the message is available on the ELCA's Web site at
www.elca.org/dcs/suicide_prevention.html.
     Elsie and Jerry Weyrauch, members of the Lutheran Church of the
Resurrection, an ELCA congregation in Marietta, Ga., were instrumental in
drafting the message.  The Weyrauchs worked with the Rev. John R. Stumme,
acting director for studies, ELCA Division for Church in Society.  The
Weyrauchs addressed the council as it considered approving the message.
     The Weyrauchs have been active in suicide prevention advocacy and
education since the death of their 34-year-old daughter, Terri Ann, in
Chicago in 1987.  Her death was ruled a suicide.  They formed the Suicide
Prevention Advocacy Network (SPAN USA), and worked with the U.S. Congress
to issue resolutions on the issue.  They also helped write "The Surgeon
General's Call to Action to Prevent Suicide."  In that, Dr. David Satcher,
assistant secretary for health and surgeon general, said suicide is a
serious public health problem.
     "What approval of the message means to me is a whole lot of people
like Terri Weyrauch will be given permission to get help and will be
encouraged to get help," said Elsie Weyrauch following the council's
affirmative vote.
     "This message will speak to all churches, all faiths, that suicide is
no longer an issue that we can ignore," said Jerry Weyrauch. "It's an issue
we can do something about."
     The message includes facts about suicide, discusses attitudes about
suicide, and offers ideas for receiving and giving help to people
contemplating or affected by suicide.  The message speaks of ministry with
loved ones after suicide, suggests action to prevent suicides and lists
suicide prevention organizations and resources.
     Jerry Weyrauch added he hopes the message will motivate congregations
to become aware of the magnitude of suicide in their own communities, and
he hopes members will want to learn the warning signs for people who may be
at risk for suicide.  The message is a resource for clergy and for lay
members, he said.  It may also serve as a resource for young people, Jerry
Weyrauch added.
     With the Weyrauchs at the council meeting was Jade Smalls, a
Northwestern University senior.  Smalls, currently Miss Illinois and
runner-up in the 1999 Miss America pageant, said she speaks to school-aged
young people about suicide prevention.
     Smalls,  a Christian who attends a non-denominational church, said
"spirituality is the number one factor" in preventing suicide.  Many
school-age children are affected in some way by suicides, she said.
     "Young people want more than ever to hear the message of life,"
Smalls said. "They see death so often."
     The Rev. Kirkwood J. Havel, council member, Midland, Mich., expressed
appreciation for the message.  In his role as a parish pastor, he said he
confronts the issue of suicide frequently.
     Donald G. Hayes, council member, Winston-Salem, N.C., said he is "so
pleased" the church is taking a leadership role in suicide prevention.
Hayes told the council his son, Mark, died as a result of suicide in 1978.
     "Clearly, we must develop a better understanding of mental health
issues," he said.
     In addition to adoption of the message, the council was told that a
"Suicide Prevention Endowment Fund" had been established through the ELCA
Foundation.  The fund was established by an anonymous donor, said the Rev.
Donald M. Hallberg, executive director, ELCA Foundation.  The fund will
make annual distributions to the ELCA Division for Church in Society to
support suicide prevention education programs, Hallberg said.
     The fund is "a fitting and appropriate place" for people affected by
suicide to provide memorials,  Jerry Weyrauch said.

[*Editor's note:  Gifts to the Suicide Prevention Endowment Fund may be
sent to the ELCA Foundation, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, Ill. 60631.
Information is available by calling 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2972.]

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