Church wants to end suicide taboo
The Uniting Church wants to show the community that any of the historical judgement or shame associated with suicide is now a thing of the past.
It is running an awareness campaign, “Suicide: It’s No Secret”, to get everyone, not just church-goers, talking about what has traditionally been a taboo subject.
In conjunction with World Suicide Prevention Day today, Scots Church on North Terrace will be open all day as a peaceful place for people to remember those lost to suicide.
Reverend Doctor Peter Trudinger, of Scots Church, admits that historically, religious institutions contributed to the shame surrounding suicide.
“I think that large sections of wider Christianity still have a stigma about suicide, but that is true of the whole of society too,” he told InDaily.
“Suicide leaves a wasteland of broken relationships around it.
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“The first step in healing is to talk about what is going on. That’s where we start this campaign; it is time to talk about suicide.”
A high-profile banner at the church in Pulteney St is working to promote the cause, and inviting passers-by to talk about the topic.
“The first response of a Christian is to heal broken relationships, rather than to worry about stigma,” Trudinger said.
“To talk about it normalises the topic, so it is not like a cancer growing in the soul”.
He said the church wasn’t attempting to offer a counselling service, but instead was offering support in difficult times.
Campaign manager Reverend Sarah Williamson also acknowledged the role Christianity had played in contributing to the stigma of talking about suicide.
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“I’ve always said Christian churches need to take a fair bit of responsibility throughout history with the stigma that is around mental health and suicide,” she said
“Christianity is changing, as time goes on.
“The Uniting Church’s ethos is very much about standing by the family in solidarity with people who are in pain and struggling. Not to offer judgement, but support and help.”
Scots Church will be open for remembrance from 10am to 5pm today, with a traditional service at 5.45.
CitySoul Church on Hutt St will hold a youth service on Wednesday September 11. Church-goers can light a candle in memory of those lost to suicide.
Other events are being held around the state.
For more information, visit www.nosecret.org.au or www.wspd.org.au
Further support and information about suicide prevention can be found by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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