This presentation is designed to create awareness of the impact of suicide in the Christian church and provide readers resources for recognition, prevention and treatment of suicidal thoughts and actions. Originally presented by Dr. Stacie Otey-Scott (Dr. S.O.S.) at The Mount in Chesapeake, VA, 2014.

1. NATIONAL SUICIDE AWARENESS WEEK 2014
A DOSE OF REALITY

2. “PASTOR COMMITS SUICIDE WHILE
CONGREGATION WAITS FOR HIM TO PREACH”

3. “NC COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH SHOCKED AT
42-YEAR-OLD SENIOR PASTOR’S SUICIDE”

4. “PASTOR GRIEVING HIS WIFE SHOOTS HIMSELF
IN FRONT OF HIS MOTHER AND SON”

5. “CHARISMATIC CHURCH NETWORK LEADER
DIES IN APPARENT SUICIDE”

6. “MEGA-CHURCH FOUNDER ISAAC HUNTER
FOUND DEAD IN APPARENT SUICIDE”

7. PASTORAL STATS
• 70% of pastors constantly fight depression
• 71% are burned out
• 72% of pastors only study the Bible when preparing for
a sermon
• 70% say they don’t have a close friend
SOURCES:
SCHAEFFER INSTITUTE
NEW YORK TIMES- “TAKING A BREAK FROM THE LORD’S WORK - PAUL VITELLO
DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL - CLERGY HEALTH INITIATIVE

8. PASTORAL STATS
• 1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to
burnout, conflict, or moral failure
• Doctors, lawyers and clergy have the most problems
with drug abuse, alcoholism and suicide
SOURCES:
NEW YORK TIMES- “TAKING A BREAK FROM THE LORD’S WORK - PAUL VITELLO
DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL - CLERGY HEALTH INITIAT I V E
PASTORBURNOUT.COM

9. GENERAL STATS
• Nearly 30,000 Americans commit suicide every year
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for people
ages 24-35
• There are two times as many suicide deaths than HIV/
AIDS deaths
• Every 13 minutes someone commits suicide
SOURCES:
NEW YORK TIMES- “TAKING A BREAK FROM THE LORD’S WORK - PAUL VITELLO
DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL - CLERGY HEALTH INITIAT I V E
PASTORBURNOUT.COM

10. PREDICTIVE FACTORS
• Depression
• Hopelessness

11. PROTECTIVE FACTORS
• Effective Care
• Strong family and community connections
• Cultural and Religious beliefs that discourage suicide

12. “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion
raised against the knowledge of God, and take
every thought captive to obey Christ.”
THE WORD: II CORINTHIANS 10:5

13. “Confess your sins one to another and pray for one
another that you may be healed.”
JAMES 5:16 ESV

14. PRAYER FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS & ACTIONS
Lord, I realize that while the thief came to steal, kill
and destroy, Jesus came to give life. I confess that I
have been entertaining and agreeing with the
voice of the enemy regarding my own life.
!
Whether I can see it or not, I choose to believe that
You have a plan for my life and that You will carry it
out.

15. PRAYER FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS & ACTIONS
My life is Yours and not mine, and I surrender to
You my life and my death. I choose to renounce
the lie of the enemy that my own death can do
more for me than the death of Your Son, Jesus.
!
I declare Your truth over my life and I ask for a
divine exchange of the lie with Your truth. I take
control of my thoughts and I thank You for the gift
of my life. I ask for and receive your forgiveness
and walk in freedom from this day forward in Jesus’
name. Amen

16. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
THEMOUNTLEADS.ORG/SUICIDE-RESOURCES