We have had a busy weekend so I hit the pavement early Saturday morning to complete the Suicide Awareness Virtual Run/Walk.

I don’t know anyone who has not been affected by suicide or attempted suicide. There was a time in my life that I believed that suicide is an unforgivable sin. Oh. how wrong my thinking was.

Suicide is a result of depression or other mental illness that leaves the individual desperate to stop their pain and anguish. Suicide can also come as a result of the work of evil spirits.

As believers we should NEVER tell someone that if the have enough faith all of their problems will evaporate. Yes prayer and open honest conversations can help BUT many times the person needs professional help and medication.

Be a safe place for people to share their struggles.

Encourage them to speak with a therapist and a pastor.

Pray for your loved ones who struggle with anxiety, depression and other mental illness.

Do not blame yourself if someone in your life attempts or succeeds in committing suicide.

Never ignore a verbal or written threat of suicide.

You are not God and therefore you do not have the ability or the right to judge the seemingly irrational acts of others.

Still Saints – CARING FOR CHRISTIANS WITH PERSONALITY DISORDERS is also a helpful resource.

SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE or call 800-273-8255 (24 hours)

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September 5 – 11, 2021 is National Suicide Prevention Week. Suicide is a national health problem that currently ranks as the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10 – 24. Suicide is also one of the leading causes of preventable death in our nation. This race is to help spread awareness in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. This race benefits the following organizations:- NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.- CONTACT of Ocean & Monmouth Counties, a non-profit, charitable organization that provides trained telephone listeners who respond to human needs 24 hours every day. This volunteer based organization offers free confidential crisis intervention, information on available resources, and referral to community services.

For more information, visit: https://runsforapurpose.com/…/suicide-awareness…/

#suicideawarenessvirtualrunwalk

You are not alone!