The Church and Suicide

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A new study that draws on 122 years of mortality rates in the U.S. is offering a window into suicide trends. Rather than focusing on individual psychological traits like depression and substance abuse, researchers sought to understand the role that societal factors play in driving trends. Among other things, the results point to the role the church can play in offering hope. 

The data points to several significant shifts. Suicide rates are higher and start at a younger age each decade. Death by suicide among women is skyrocketing. Rural suicides now exceed metropolitan numbers. And suicide rates have peaked during periods of major social upheaval, such as the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and, surprisingly, the advancement of the women’s rights movement. According to these researchers, “Suicide appears to be powerfully shaped by what’s happening in society—economically, socially and culturally . . .”  

Among the factors most apparent, especially for youth, are technology and family structure. The generation that is more digitally connected than any other before it is also the loneliest in recorded history. A joint study that was released a year ago revealed the connection between addictive screen use among youth, like gaming and compulsive social media checking and suicide risk. Another study showed a correlation between youth loneliness and shrinking family sizes, including single-parent homes, because the study suggested, “children are less likely to have automatic peer interaction or large support networks at home.” Increased screen use combined with decreased human connection also helps explain the rise in suicide in rural areas.  

What the study does not address are the vast ideological shifts that have occurred over the decades. Certainly, the shifts toward radical autonomy, expressive individualism and self-determination must be considered, not to mention the confusing messaging that has accompanied the push for legal, medically assisted suicide. Still, the study’s authors suggested where solutions to the suicide crisis should be found: 

If suicide risk rises and falls with broader social conditions, then prevention has to go beyond the clinic. We need tailored strategies that address connectedness, community, economic stability and the lived experience of entire generations, not just interventions targeted at individuals after they’re already in crisis.  

Connectedness, community, stability, generational mentors? If that sounds like families and churches, it should. 

In the mid-2010s, El Paso County in Colorado had the highest youth suicide rate in the country. After a particularly heavy season of suicides and attempts among high school students, officials put first responders in place. Volunteers would walk around school cafeterias looking for students who were alone, isolated and sad. It made a dramatic difference and, along with other strategies, teen suicide rates in the county dropped over the next few years. Who were these volunteers willing to brave middle and high school cafeterias? Mostly, they were found in local churches. 

Back in 2018, Lifeway Research reported that only 27 percent of churches had a plan to assist families affected by mental illness. Though a majority of pastors reported being equipped to handle suicide threats in their church, only four percent of churchgoers who lost a loved one to suicide said church leaders were aware of the struggles. Churches have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in this area, but only if we are intentional about it. 

Christians have the hope of Christ, and we should put it to good use against the cultural scourge of suicide. The Hope Always course is a great way to prepare to become the kind of first responder who can make a difference. In the course, offered within the Colson Educators learning platform, Dr. Matthew Sleeth provides a Biblically grounded and medically sound way to understand suicide and respond to it with clarity, confidence and courage. Learn more at colsoneducators.org.  

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/simpson33

John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and radio host of BreakPoint, a daily national radio program providing thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

BreakPoint is a program of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. BreakPoint commentaries offer incisive content people can't find anywhere else; content that cuts through the fog of relativism and the news cycle with truth and compassion. Founded by Chuck Colson (1931 – 2012) in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. Today, you can get it in written and a variety of audio formats: on the web, the radio, or your favorite podcast app on the go.