Suicide prevention seminar to be offered to reduce suicide attempts, deaths and stigma

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SALT LAKE CITY — Saint Martin de Porres Parish will host a suicide prevention seminar as a way to help reduce deaths from suicide and the stigma surrounding the topic.

“Suicidal individuals – with or without a terminal illness – typically do not want to die; they want to escape what they perceive to be an intolerable situation, and they inaccurately believe that suicide is their only way out,” according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The seminar presenter will be Carol Ruddell, crisis and suicide prevention programs administrator for the State of Utah. She also is a member of the Diocese of Salt Lake City’s Commission for People With Disabilities.

“Everyone can make a difference and help to reduce suicide attempts and deaths in Utah,” said Ruddell, adding that 97 percent of Utahns “know someone who has attempted [suicide] or taken their own lives. …  Together we can help our families, friends and neighbors connect and move from a dark struggle to hope.”

Suicide can be a sensitive topic to discuss; there is a great deal of stigma around mental health and suicide, she said, but “We don’t overcome stigma by silence. We reduce that stigma when we talk about it.”

When people have open conversations, they “feel safe to talk with us,” she said. “When people feel safe, they are open to counseling and treatment. That’s how we reduce that stigma, build hope and save lives.”

 The seminar will incorporate Catholic social teaching on issues such as the dignity of every human being, the option for the vulnerable, and solidarity.

“Solidarity speaks the most to me,” Ruddell said. “We are one human family, and we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. While we traditionally think of solidarity as racial, ethnic or economic, it is fundamentally care of each other, and putting that care into action.  Suicide prevention is an act of solidarity.”

 Inviting all to attend the seminar, Ruddell said that “everyone can learn the skills of suicide prevention, the actions to take to save a life and bring hope, and the many resources we have in Utah to support struggling family and friends.”

The seminar participants “will have the opportunity to learn about suicide in Utah, the skills to prevent suicide, and the actions each of us can take,” she said. “They will also learn the many resources in Utah that support people who are struggling.”

Although the seminar is open to everyone, Ruddell typically asks that participants be age 16 and older, and be six months out from a loss, she said.

“The workshop isn’t intended to bring fresh grief to those who have experienced a loss. When someone has lost a loved one, they need the time to grieve, rather than feeling they could have done something differently,” she said.

Ruddell is willing to provide this workshop to clergy, parishes or catechists across the diocese; contact her at cgruddell@utah.gov or 385-368-1777.

WHAT: Suicide Prevention Seminar

WHEN: Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. - noon

WHERE: St. Martin de Porres Parish, 4914 South 2200 West, Taylorsville

Free and open to the public.