🎄 Holiday Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

Presence-Based Chaplaincy in Times of Despair

🌪️ Understanding the Emotional Storm of the Holidays

Abby:
We continue in this course with a very important and tender topic: holiday mental health, suicide prevention, and the deepening of presence-based ministry.

We’ve already discussed how grief can be amplified during the holidays. But so can:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Financial stress

• Relational conflict

• Loneliness and isolation

These are five forces that push emotional stress during the holiday season:

1. Holiday expectations

2. Memories (happy or painful)

3. Financial burdens

4. Grief

5. Isolation

Henry:
I’ve seen these exact forces as a minister for decades. Most Christmas crises stem from one or more of these five areas.

🧠 Seasonal Mental Health Factors

Abby:
It’s not just emotional—it’s physically exhausting and spiritually demanding, especially for families with young kids or a lot of obligations.

Mental health struggles that often surface during holidays include:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

• Unrealistic expectations

• Relapse into substance use

• Loneliness and shame

• Family conflict

• Suicidal ideation

People may smile in public, but suffer in silence at home.

🕊️ The Ministry Sciences Perspective

Henry:
Ministry Sciences teaches us that holistic care must address emotional, relational, and spiritual dimensions.

Chaplains become spiritual first responders—not clinicians, but caregivers called to act with compassion and awareness.

🆘 Suicide Awareness and Chaplaincy Response

Abby:
Suicide is complex. As chaplains, we’re called to recognize risk signs and offer presence that interrupts cycles of despair.

Henry:
We’ve had CLI students come in with powerful stories—where someone was contemplating suicide, and then “out of nowhere,”

A chaplain entered their life. That changed everything.

🪙 Five Common Suicide Risk Indicators

1. Expressions of hopelessness or feeling like a burden

2. Withdrawing from relationships

3. Mood swings or drastic behavior changes

4. Giving away possessions

5. Saying final goodbyes

Henry:
Take every one of these signs seriously. Don’t delay. Don’t assume. Even if you don’t personally connect with the person—you must overcome your own resistance.

Abby:
Right. Chaplaincy calls us to love even when it’s hard. Maybe someone’s rubbed you the wrong way—but that can’t become an excuse to ignore warning signs.

🎧 Listening Without Judgment

Henry:
Listen without judgment. Avoid trying to correct, fix, or minimize people’s feelings.

Abby:
Yes, let the Holy Spirit guide your tone and words.
Don’t think, “What am I going to say next?” Just soak in what they’re sharing.

It’s not about solving their problem—it's about honoring their experience.

Henry:
And remember: even when you think you know the answer, don’t jump to it. Your role is not to give advice—your role is to be a holy presence.

🧭 Refer with Wisdom and Ethics

Abby:
If someone is at risk, follow crisis protocols.

❗ Do NOT promise confidentiality when life is at risk.

Henry:
Referring to qualified care is part of your ethical responsibility. “Qualified care” might look different in various regions:

• In the U.S. or U.K., this might mean licensed therapists or hotlines.

• In Africa or Asia, it might involve partnering with pastors, elders, or local healers.

Abby:
Start building your referral toolkit now—know who in your community you can trust with this kind of care.

🌉 Be the Bridge Between Despair and Hope

Henry:
Chaplaincy presence becomes a bridge between despair and hope.

Abby:
Stay through silence. Sit through discomfort. Communicate:

• Their value

• Their divine worth

• The nearness of Christ

Ministry is not always about fixing—it’s about faithful presence.

✝️ Crisis Ministry, Scripture, and the Gentle Power of Presence

Final Section – Suicide Awareness & Compassionate Chaplaincy

📖 Let Scripture Be the Lifeline

Abby:
Scripture can be a gentle lifeline in crisis moments.

“Would it be okay if I pray with you?”
“Would it be okay if I read a Scripture?”

Most people say yes.

Let God’s Word settle into their hearts. Let the Holy Spirit apply it.

“May I read Psalm 147?”
“Could I share Psalm 23 with you?”

Open the Bible, read it gently. It’s powerful.

🧎 Practical Chaplaincy in Crisis Moments

Henry:
You’re not there to be the one who fixes everything. That’s why we’ve talked about referral—but staying present is just as vital.

• Listen carefully.

• Ask directly if suicide is a concern.

• Avoid promises you can’t keep.

• Encourage professional help as needed.

• Pray with discernment and truth.

As a chaplain, your heart is open, but your role is limited—you cannot carry everyone’s burdens alone.

❓ How to Ask About Suicide Respectfully

Abby:
When I was younger, I hesitated to ask people about suicidal thoughts. I didn’t want to offend.

Henry:
But there are ways to ask that are gentle and nonjudgmental:

“You know, sometimes people feel so low that they even consider ending it all. Where are you at in all of this?”

Most will reply, “Thanks for asking—I’m not feeling that way,” and they’ll feel seen and cared for.

Avoid bluntness like “Are you suicidal?”
Instead, ask with care, invite honest reflection, and watch for non-verbal cues.

🕯️ You Are Not the Savior

Abby:
This reminder bears repeating:

You are not the Savior.
You are a reflection of Christ’s love.
You are a light in the darkness.
You are someone who makes space for others to find the hope of God.

Your presence may be the safe place where someone finally says,

“Yes, I am considering taking my life.”

That sacred moment is where referral and rescue can begin.

🧠 Discernment and Spirit-Led Listening

Henry:

“George, many people in your situation feel overwhelmed—some even consider taking their own life. Are you okay?”

Their response—even non-verbal—can tell you something.

• Do they look away?

• Do they answer too quickly?

• Do they seem detached or avoidant?

These are signs. The Holy Spirit can guide you to see them.

Maybe your next step is talking to someone close to them—a daughter, friend, or pastor.
Maybe you’re not the ongoing contact, but you’re the one who uncovered the danger.

🤝 Connect People to the Right Person

Abby:
Sometimes, the person in crisis may need a different type of chaplain—maybe a male instead of a female, or vice versa.

Your role might simply be the one who notices and connects:

“You’re not the next step. You’re the bridge.”

🛡️ Boundaries & Surprising Conversations

Henry:
It’s amazing how many people will talk to chaplains about unexpected things. This is why boundaries are so important—for their safety and yours.

In upcoming sessions, we’ll dive into healthy boundaries in ministry.

💬 Final Reflection

Suicide awareness is a crucial topic.

You must have the training and the comfort to speak life into these moments.

Through chaplaincy, you can be a vessel of Christ’s love—
Not solving everything, but making space for healing to begin.