Suicide Stigma in Christian Faith Communities: A Qualitative Study

Given the increasing numbers of U.S. lives lost to suicide, it is imperative identify factors that can help protect against suicide. While regular religious service attendance has been found be protective faith communities have taboos suicide which may associated with stigma. Nine Christian leaders and congregants one moral psychologist completed interviews on stigma in communities. Themes emerged included internal, interpersonal, theological components group differences related Participants proposed seven barriers corresponding ways address communities: talk about skill deficits, practice vulnerability, get leadership board, theology appreciate a unique contribution make prevention, cultural/systemic issues.