Suicide Prevention and Education Program and Plans
Suicide Rate Have Hits All Time High
In the fall of 2022, Saint John Vianney Center invited the leadership of every Arch/Diocese, Women and Men’s religious community in the United States to participate in an online survey, with 270 participating. The survey indicated that suicide and suicidal ideation are common problems among Diocesan Clergy and Men’s and Women’s Religious communities.
Our Plan
Our goal is to establish the first Suicide Prevention and Education Program for Clergy and Men and Women Religious in the United States. We have set a $500,000 goal to establish an initial three-year training program for dioceses and religious communities.
We wish to hire a full-time director to establish training and support to include comprehensive educational materials, videos, case studies, and guides designed to educate religious leaders to recognize signs of crisis and provide immediate assistance. Coaching and training will be handled both virtually and in person.
The program will connect those in crisis seamlessly to the services of the Saint John Vianney Center through the referral pathway established by trained religious leaders. This program will reach every diocese and religious community over three years. At the conclusion of three-years, the new director will continue to provide training and ongoing support for new and existing leadership. The impact of the program will save lives and preserve vocations.
Make a Gift
If you have questions about this initiative or about ways to support this effort, please contact Jim Friend, Director of Mission Advancement at 610-518-2083.
Your gift will allow SJVC to create our nation’s largest formalized effort to support Church Ministers.