Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church

A Welcoming Congregation 

Home
Visitors & Seekers
Map & Directions
The Beacon
Calendar
Cedars Blog
Who We Are
Worship
Choir
Children & Youth
Committees & Activities
Adult Programs
Communications
Social Action
Green Sanctuary
Welcoming Congregation
Pastoral Care
Ministerial Search
Chalice Lighters
Julie's Jottings
Audio Sermons
Sermons
From the President
Minister
Board of Trustees
Cedars Directory
Contact Us

 

Pastoral Care Committee
April 2008

Suicide

Every 18 minutes another life is lost to suicide, making it the eleventh most common cause of death in the United States.  We all may feel overwhelmed by difficult emotions or situations sometimes.  But most people are able to get through them or put their problems in perspective and carry on with determination and hope.  People may consider suicide when they are hopeless and can’t see any other solution to their problems.  Often it’s related to serious depression, alcohol or substance abuse, or a major stressful event.

 

People who have the highest risk of suicide are white men, though women and teen report more suicide attempts.  Teens are vulnerable to depression because hormones and sleep cycles change dramatically during adolescence and can affect their mood.  Depression puts a filter on the person’s thinking that distorts things.  The individual doesn’t realize that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem in the same way that other people do.

 

There are often signs that someone may be thinking about or planning a suicide attempt.  Some of them may be:

·         Talking about suicide or death in general

·         Talking about “going away”

·         Referring to things they “won’t be needing” and giving away possessions

·         Talking about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty

·         Pulling away from friends or family

·         Losing the desire to take part in favorite things or activities

·         Having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly

·         Changes in eating or sleeping habits

·         Self-destructive behavior (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, driving too fast)

 

If it’s you or someone you know who has some of these signs, it’s important to get help right away.  Talk to someone that you trust, or call the Crisis Clinic of the Peninsula at 800-843-4793, or call 911 in an emergency.  People are there to help you figure out how to work through tough situations.

        Chere Perrone, Pastoral Care Chair

            Committee Members:

Chere Perrone, Chair

Deb Gates
Angie Hoffpauir
Donna Moore

John Peck
Diana Peters

Bunny Stumbo

Rev. Julie Forest

 

                            

Send e-mail to Webmeister with questions or comments about this website.   
Last modified: February 27, 2008.  © CUUC 2008, all rights reserved.  Website designed and maintained by