Suicide Prevention

Posted on May 24, 2023 by secretarywumc — Leave a comment

Do Not Ignore

“I Wish I Were Dead”

“I Wish I Was Never Born”

Have you heard these words?

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the US. For 5-14 year olds, it’s the 3rd leading cause of death. Yes! The 3^rd leading cause of death of our children ages 5-14!!! For adolescents (15-24 years old), it’s even worse (2nd leading cause of death).

Why do our children feel hopeless?

Children and adolescents can experience strong feeling of stress and confusion in today’s world. Self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty and other fears can threaten their well-being. Divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. Suicide may appear to be the only solution to their problems.

The warning signs of suicide are especially noteworthy when there has been a recent death or suicide of a friend or family member, a recent break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, conflict with parents, or news reports of other suicides by young people in the same school or community.

Warning signs:

Change in eating and sleeping habits.
Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities.
Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away.
Drug and alcohol use.
Unusual neglect of personal appearance.
Marked personality change.
Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork.
Frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
Loss of interest in pleasurable activities.
Not tolerating praise or rewards or complaining of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside.
Gives verbal hints: “I won’t be a problem for you much longer”; “Nothing matters”; “It’s no use”; and “I won’t see you again.”
Puts his or her affairs in order (gives away favorite possessions, throws away important belongings).
Becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression.

With Help Comes Hope!

You can help! Show them you care. Ask questions: “I’m worried about you, about how you feel”; “You mean a lot to me. I want to help”; “I am here to talk whenever you need to”; “Are you thinking about suicide?”; “Do you really want to die?”; “Do you want your problems to go away?”

Don’t hesitate to raise the subject! Talking about suicide won’t put the idea in their head. Chances are, if you’ve observed any of the warning signs, they’re already thinking about it. Be direct in a caring, non-confrontational way. Get the conversation started. Seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional.

IF A PERSON SAYS THEY ARE CONSIDERING SUICIDE:

Take the person seriously
Stay with them
Help them remove lethal means (e.g., secure all firearms, drugs, medications).
Contact a mental health professional (see attachment for additional support services in the area).
Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
Text HOME to 741741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, available 24/7
Chat online:www.988lifeline.org/chat/
Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room.

If they refuse to go, contact the police and ask for a health and welfare check. Tell them your concerns. If they determine them to be at risk, they will admit them to a facility (e.g. hospital) for stabilization regardless of income or insurance.

IF A SUICIDE ATTEMPT HAS OCCURRED,

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY OR

GO TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.

The information in this article came from a variety of sources, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, American Association of Suicidology, and the Family and Youth Services Bureau-Valparaiso, IN. The information was compiled by Suzann Klett, a member of the Westville United Methodist Church Outreach Committee which is committed to loving and serving the community. The Westville United Methodist Church located at 154 W Main St, Westville, Indiana 46391.

Local Mental Health Services and Crisis Support Contacts

Swanson Center 1230 West State Road 2 LaPorte, IN 46350 Regular Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, and Fri 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and Thurs 8:00 am – 7:00 pm Open Access (walk-in to sign up for services): Wednesday 9:00am – 4:00pm 219-362-2145 After Hours Crisis Line: 219-871-9975

Porter Stark 601 Wall Street Valparaiso, IN Call (219) 531-3500. Regular Hours: Mon – Thursday: 8:00am-8:00pm and Friday 8:00am-5:00pm Crisis and referral services are available 24-hours a day at 219-531-3500.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Free) Call anytime or day 24/7(formerly National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) Call or Text: 988Chat online:www.988lifeline.org/chat/Text: HOME to 741741For Spanish Text: AYUDA to 741741 for Spanish supportFor Deaf or Hard of Hearing:For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.Chat online: www.988lifeline.org/chat/

Veterans Affairs (VA) Crisis Line Free, 24/7, confidential help even if you’re not enrolled in VA benefits or health care (for military service members, veterans, and family) Call: 800-273-8255 or 988 then PRESS 1Text: 838255Chat online:www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/Deaf and hard of hearing Call: 800-799-4889Homeless Veterans: Call 1-877-424-3838www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/

Trevor Project Lifeline (confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth): Available 24-7 Call: 866-488-7386 Chat online: www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/ Text: START to 678-678

Graduate Students – The National Grad Crisis LineCall 1(877) 472-3457 Available 24/7

Youthline (YouthLine is a free teen-to-teen crisis support and help line. Teens are available to help daily from 4-10pm PST (adults are available by phone at all other times!) Call: 877-968-8491 Text: teen2teen to 839863 Chat:www.theyouthline.org Email: Teen2Teen@LinesforLife.org

Posted in Uncategorized

July 2026 Words from the Pastor

Posted on November 2, 2017 by secretarywumc — Leave a comment

Pastor’s Message – July WORD

Dear Friends,

July always rolls in with sunshine, cookouts, and that wonderful excuse to eat dessert twice because, well… it’s patriotic. This year carries a special note as we continue to reflect on the 250th birthday of the United States. Two and a half centuries of history, courage, innovation, and—if we’re honest—a few family-sized disagreements along the way.

We are blessed beyond measure to live in a country where freedom is cherished and defended. Freedom to worship. Freedom to speak. Freedom to gather—like we do each week, sometimes even on time (miracles still happen!).

But as meaningful as those freedoms are, I’d like to gently nudge us toward a deeper reflection this July: What does true freedom really look like?

Because Scripture reminds us that freedom is more than a political reality—it is a spiritual gift.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36 (NIV)

Now that’s not the kind of freedom you celebrate with fireworks (probably for the best—we’ve all seen how that can go). This is the freedom that transforms hearts. The freedom that releases us from guilt, fear, and the constant pressure to “have it all together.”

Let’s be honest—most of us spend a good portion of our lives trying to look free while quietly carrying burdens that weigh us down. We smile, we say “I’m fine,” and then we go home and wonder why peace feels just out of reach.

Jesus offers something radically different:

Not just freedom from something—but freedom for something.

Freedom to love deeply.

Freedom to forgive freely.

Freedom to live with hope, even on the hard days.

And unlike fireworks, this freedom doesn’t fizzle out after a few seconds—it stays with us.

A right relationship with Jesus Christ is where that freedom begins. It’s not about checking every box or having a flawless track record (thank goodness, or I’d be in trouble too).

It’s about surrender, grace, and walking daily with the One who knows us completely and loves us anyway.

A Simple Prayer

Gracious God,

Thank You for the freedoms we enjoy in this country, and for the sacrifices that made them possible.

But even more, thank You for the freedom You offer through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Set our hearts free from anything that holds us back from You—fear, guilt, pride, or doubt.

Help us to walk in Your grace and to share that freedom with others.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Challenge for July

This month, I invite you to do one simple—but powerful—thing:

Take five minutes each day to “check in” with your freedom in Christ.

Ask yourself:

– Am I holding onto something Jesus has already set me free from?

– Is there someone I need to forgive?

– Am I living as if I am truly free…or just pretending?

And then—this is the important part—bring it to God in prayer. Not perfectly. Not with fancy words. Just honestly.

(And if you accidentally fall asleep during one of those prayer times, don’t worry—consider it resting in the Lord!)

Friends, as we celebrate our nation this July, let’s not forget to celebrate the deeper freedom we’ve been given—a freedom that no circumstance can take away.

Now that’s something worth waving a flag about.

With gratitude and a smile,

Pastor Toby

Pastor’s Corner — June 2026

Friends,

Summer has finally arrived — which means two things:

The church lawn is growing faster than the speed of sound making Alan a very busy (but proud) guy, and
Someone will inevitably ask me if shorts are “holy enough” for Sunday worship.

To which I say: if the disciples could follow Jesus around the Judean countryside in sandals and a robe, I think your knees will survive the sanctuary. Who am I kidding…nobody is going to ask me that question – because I will likely being wearing shorts myself.

We are kicking off a new series (or bringing back an old series) called “The Summer T-Shirt Series” on June 7^th. My hope is to be able to wear a different t-shirt every Sunday and preach on the theme of the shirt. It’s going to be fun – and I encourage you to wear your favorite Christian t-shirt also.

Now…back to the lawn thing…

June always brings me back to a simple truth: growth happens when the conditions are right — but it still takes tending. Grass grows on its own, but a garden? A garden needs intention. Water. Sunlight. Occasional weeding. And, if you’re me, a whispered prayer that the tomatoes don’t give up on you. I can kill a plastic plant – which is why I tend to stay away from our own Community Garden and let the professional green thumbed ones take care of it.

Our spiritual lives work the same way. God plants the seeds — grace, hope, compassion, forgiveness — but we’re the ones who choose whether to water them or let the weeds take over. And let’s be honest: some of us have spiritual dandelions that could win awards.

This month, I want to invite you to slow down just enough to notice what God is growing in you. Not what you wish God would grow. Not what you think you should be growing. But what is actually sprouting in the soil of your life right now.

Maybe it’s patience.
Maybe it’s courage.
Maybe it’s the ability to say “no” to things that drain you.
Maybe it’s the willingness to say “yes” to something new.

Whatever it is, trust that God is already at work — and that your job is simply to tend the garden.

A Prayer for June

Gracious God,
As summer unfolds around us, open our eyes to the quiet ways You are growing new life within us.
Give us the courage to nurture what is good, the wisdom to pull what harms, and the joy to celebrate every small blossom of grace.
Make our hearts fertile ground for Your love, and let that love spill into our homes, our community, and our world.
In the name of Christ, who makes all things new. Amen.

Your Challenge

This month, I challenge you to choose one small spiritual practice and commit to it for 30 days. Not a big one. Not a heroic one. Just one simple thing that waters the garden of your soul.

Here are a few ideas: