* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
>> NEWS: FAITH COMMUNITIES SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
When Ginger Biddle's nephew committed suicide in 1995, he was only 16 years old, and the tragedy took the whole family by surprise. But, looking back, Biddle believes there were signs.
“He had written an essay for his English class, and it talked about how, if you're unhappy, you have the right to take your own life,” Biddle said. “He also had mentioned to his friends he was going to kill himself, but they thought he was joking.”
A Registered Nurse, Biddle has also earned her PhD, and her mental health-related program is accepted by the Association of American Medical Colleges.
“I created a program to teach nurse practitioners to assess adolescents for suicide risk after my nephew committed suicide. My way of coping was to learn more,” she said.
Biddle conducted training covering adolescent suicide in her church with the aim of helping people identify the risk factors and warning signs—and go about getting them the assistance they need.
Faith community nurses like Biddle are also known as parish nurses or congregational nurses.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) supports parish nurses across the country through educational initiatives, publications, and event planning. Read more.
Learn more about mental health and how you can be part of a supportive, caring community. Download and share a church bulletin insert. And give to Congregational Health Ministry, Advance #3021045.
>> PRAYER: PEACE IN SYRIA
Your continued prayers for peace in Syria are needed as the country sinks further into war. With recent developments increasing the possibility of an expansion of the conflict, prayers for peace and for the safety of civilians are extremely important.
>> UMCOR OPENINGS: COMMUNITY-BASED PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
UMCOR is seeking a Community-Based Primary Health Care Technical Officer to provide technical guidance to UMCOR field offices, United Methodist hospitals and clinics, and grassroots partners around the world in the area of maternal and child health and integrated primary health care initiatives. Learn more.
>> MEDIA: BENEFITS OF FAIR TRADE CACAO HARVESTING
In the Dominican Republic, cacao harvesting is creating a market for organic cocoa and enriching the lives of vulnerable populations thanks to CONACADO, a democratically run cooperative. Watch this new video to learn more. You can also observe World Fair Trade Day, May 11, by making fair-trade purchases.
>> RESOURCES: RELIEF SUPPLIES NEEDED/ DISASTER RESPONSE TRAINING CALENDAR
Relief-supply kits are desperately needed. UMCOR depots are running low in their inventory of layette, sewing, and bedding kits. Visit the UMCOR Relief-Supplies webpage to learn how to assemble and send these kits and help UMCOR meet needs worldwide.
Tornado season is already here, and hurricane season is looming. UMCOR provides a host of different kinds of training for disaster response. Some prepare conferences, while others support churches and individuals interested in ministering to disaster survivors. View UMCOR’s Disaster Response Training Calendar and find out which training programs are happening near you.
