Resources
Webinar: After Suicide, How Communities of Faith Can Help Reduce Suicide Contagion
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or needs someone to talk to, please call or text 988 in the United States and Puerto Rico for help. Canadian residents can call 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645.
NBA hosted a dialogue between Rev. Angela Whitenhill and special guest Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe, author of The Lifesaving Church: Faith Communities and Suicide Prevention(Chalice Press, 2018). This webinar highlights what congregations and communities of faith can do after suicide loss.
With particular attention to safe messaging and healthy theological perspectives about suicide, this webinar offers tips on effective leadership and pastoral care, ways to minimize contagion risk, and wisdom about how to create a safe and loving space for grieving the loss of a loved one after suicide.
Webinar Panelists:
Rev. Angela Whitenhill – NBA Mental Health Initiative Manager
Rev. Whitenhill serves as the Mental Health Initiative Manager of the National Benevolent Association. As a licensed clinical social worker, Angela specializes in spirituality integrated psychotherapy, religious trauma, children’s trauma and attachment issues, identity issues, life transitions, and clinician, clergy and leadership mental health and wellness. With proven success in interdisciplinary program development, intercultural bridge building, and organizational leadership.
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe – Pastor at Living Table United Church of Christ in Minneappolis, MN
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the author of The Lifesaving Church: Faith Communities and Suicide Prevention (Chalice Press, 2018), and pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ in Minneapolis, MN. She’s a favored conference presenter on topics related to the church and mental health, particularly suicide and congregations. Previously, she served as clinical chaplain at a state psychiatric hospital where she worked with patients, staff, clergy, and faith communities to increase understanding and welcome people living with severe and persistent symptoms of mental illness. She’s also served on a State Suicide Prevention Council.
