THE Church of Scotland has laid out guidelines for members into dealing with the effects of suicide among young men.
Suicide is a leading cause of death among young men in Scotland.
Said a spokesperson: “A person dying young is always one of the most devastating events for a family and when that death results from suicide that tragedy is harder to cope with.”
Reverend Ian Galloway, convenor of the Church and Society Council today presented to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, its ‘Suicide among young men: the Church as a community of carers’.
“Any suicide, but particularly that of a young person, has a profound effect on the community to which the church seeks to minister. Walking with a family facing a bereavement due to suicide is a challenge that ministers and congregations face regularly and we want t make sure that they have all the support they need
:We are encouraging Kirk Sessions to use the free training on suicide prevention and bereavement counselling provided by specialist organisations as we know that there is expertise out there we should be using.
“We are also encouraging the Church of Scotland’s Ministries Council to engage with Presbyteries to ensure that effective support can be made available to ministers, should they wish it, on encountering suicide among young men in congregations and parishes.”
The spokesperson continued: “The report notes that in Scotland, men make up the largest proportion of young people taking their own lives. The peak rate among both men and women is in the 34-44 age range. Among men in the 25-34 age range it is the second highest rate, the overall male to female ratio is about 3:1. Many churches struggle to know how to deal with issues around suicide.:
Notes to News Desks:
Suicide among young men:
Commend the booklet on the issue of Suicide among young men to Kirk Sessions for their prayerful consideration and actions.
Commend the work done to raise awareness of the issues around suicide among young men through creative means such as drama in schools.
Commend the work in suicide prevention already done by many local churches, church agencies and organisations.
Encourage Kirk Sessions to avail themselves of the free training on suicide prevention and bereavement counselling provided by specialist organisations such as those listed in the report
Encourage the Ministries Council to engage with Presbyteries to ensure effective support can be made to Ministers, should they wish it, on encountering suicide among young men in their congregations and parishes.
To request an interview with Rev Ian Galloway, convenor of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, please contact Nick Jury, senior media relations officer, njury@cofscotland.org.uk, 0131 260 5241.
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Contact: Nick Jury
Phone: 0131 260 5241
Email: njury@cofscotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.cofscotland.org.uk
