ELCA Suicide Prevention Ministry

1. ELCA Suicide Prevention Ministry 2013 Board Members: Seated, left to right: Susan Weyrauch, Elsie Weyrauch, Rev. Nancy Christensen. Standing, left to right: Rev. John Stumme, Sherry Bryant, Jerry Weyrauch, Derek Weyrauch. Not pictured: Barbara Stidwill

2. ELCA Suicide Prevention Ministry (ELCA SPM) Taking action on the goals from the ELCA Message on Suicide adopted in 1999 “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

3. Taking action on 1999 ELCA Message on Suicide goals to: 1. Help congregations understand suicide and its prevention in the church community

4. Taking action on 1999 ELCA Message on Suicide goals to: • 2. Develop and implement materials to educate congregations and faith-based leaders on suicide prevention and recovery.

5. Taking action on 1999 ELCA Message on Suicide goals to: • 3. Examine the impact of suicide and suicidal behavior on the church

6. Taking action on 1999 ELCA Message on Suicide goals to:4. Build financial support for ELCA suicide prevention action

7. Taking action on 1999 ELCA Message on Suicide goals to: 5. Invite survivors to participate in the task force

8. Taking action on 1999 ELCA Message on Suicide goals to: 6. Build easily accessible faith-based resources on-line.

9. Taking action on 1999 ELCA Message on Suicide goals to: 7. Urge church-wide units to address suicide prevention and recovery by influencing policy and advocacy in the governing bodies.

10. ELCA SP Ministry Activities • Metropolitan Model for Suicide Prevention (Wheatridge Grant Implementation) • ELCA SP Task Force Website • Evaluate Activities and Outcomes (on-going) • Suicide Prevention Resolution (MSCELCA) • Recruit More SP Task Force Members • Develop a Variety of Suicide Presentations (on-going activity)

11. ELCA SP Ministry Path • 1999: ELCA Suicide Prevention Message approved by Church-wide council • 2009: Wheatridge Suicide Prevention Grant in 2009 for two years to implement suicide prevention programs ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod. • 2010:The Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry (LSPM) was organized as a Georgia non-profit corporation • 2011: ELCA church wide assembly approved the following resolution: 'Resolved, that we call upon all expressions of this church, as appropriate, to seek ways to deal with this issue, consistent with the Message on Suicide Prevention., approved 1999 by the ELCA church council.‘ • 2012, produced and currently distributes the educational 6 disk DVD series titled "Telling Secrets: A Path to Abundant Living." "Grassroots" Lutheran tells how they cope with mental illness, addiction and suicide. Jerry and Elsie Weyrauch: Founders of Suicide Prevention Action Network nationwide,;Activists in federal expansion of all national programs on suicide prevention and funding; Founders of ELCA SPM

12. New Directions • Become an Independent Lutheran Organization by January 2014 • Become 501-c-3 in order to secure funding and develop pilot programs • Continue advocacy within the Lutheran church about advancing the cause of suicide prevention • Collaborate with full communion partners about suicide prevention initiatives Pictured: Sherry Bryant, Jon Habegger, with Bishop Wayne Miller of Metropolitan Chicago Synod

13. Questions & Answers • Do you know anyone that should join the LSPM and save lives? Invite them. • Do you want to track the progress of the LSPM ? Let us know. • Do you have other ideas or resources that we can leverage? We’re listening. • Google: Lutheran Suicide Prevention Ministry or www.elcaspm.orgforour website and how to contact us. “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.”(Galatians 6:2)