One of the important issues we may deal with as Exchanged Life Counselors is helping people with some degree of suicidal ideation. 

The Wed MD site observes,

“Many people have fleeting thoughts of death. Fleeting thoughts of death are less of a problem and are much different from actively planning to commit suicide. Your risk of committing suicide is increased if you think about death and killing yourself often, or if you have made a suicide plan.

“Most people who seriously consider suicide do not want to die. Rather, they see suicide as a solution to a problem and a way to end their pain. People who seriously consider suicide feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless. A person who feels hopeless believes that no one can help with a particular event or problem. A person who feels helpless is immobilized and unable to take steps to solve problems. A person who feels worthless is overwhelmed with a sense of personal failure.”

Ironically, Dr. Solomon found that people with severe depression can be easy to work with. They are flirting with the escape of death, yet there is a way to “die and stay here”–the Cross for the believer (Luke 9:23; Gal. 2:20). Former GFI board member, John Stevens, discussed the risk and the Christ-centered solution in his book (available in GFI’s bookstore):

Here is chapter 1: Suicide_Illicit_Lover_excerpt

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

To learn more about assessing the risk of suicide and how to respond, see

• HopeForTheHeart.org “God’s Heart on Suicide” (free life guide PDF).
• Suicide Prevention equipping document from Dr. Charles Stanley & Dr. Al Scardino:  Suicide Intervention