Faith & Suicide: Development of Video Cases for Faith Leaders

Background: 34,000 die by suicide every year in the U.S.-one person every 15 minutes-and 1.1 million additional adults may attempt suicide. Faith leaders are well-positioned to help those in distress and at-risk, yet there are no cases faith leaders can look to as models of reasonable suicide-related risk-reduction practices. This project sought to create video-based cases of faith leaders counseling congregants at increased suicide risk.

Methods: Using an established multistage user-centered instructional design process grounded in social learning theory, case descriptions were first iteratively designed by nationally respected suicide prevention experts and faith leaders then captured on video using high-performing faith leaders interacting with actors role-playing at-risk congregants. Cases include participant reflection/debriefing statements and third-party critiques.

Results: Six video cases were captured depicting 3 faith leaders in 6 situations. The videos have been well-received by experts and faith leaders and rated highly on quality, fidelity to real life situations, and usefulness. Cases are freely available online at suicideandfaith.org. Suggestions for additional cases have included increasing religious leader (e.g. religions/denominations) and situation diversity (e.g. grief counseling). Teacher/learning guides are needed. Difficulties included lack of well-established suicide prevention best practices and sheer length and richness of captured interactions.

Conclusions: Video-based cases can support addressing suicide in faith communities. Those working as or with faith leaders should consider the cases as resources to increase understanding of how faith leaders can effectively work with individuals at increased suicide risk. Additional cases, support materials, and evaluation are merited.

Funded in part by NIMH/NIH#R41MH077401