Suicide Prevention Training for Faith Community Leaders

  • Equipping faith communities to recognize and respond to suicidal desperation.

  • Empowering faith communities to be sources of hope and social connection.

How can the church address a widespread sense of hopelessness?

Suicide isn’t just a result of mental illness or depression; it often arises from profound despair and isolation.

In a world where relationships are fractured, and hope is fading, the church has a unique opportunity to step in, offering healing, connection, and renewal.

Imagine a world where hope thrives, and no one feels alone.

As a national leader in empowering faith communities, we are committed to training faith leaders, supporting those affected by suicide by restoring hope, and strengthening meaningful connections.

Customized Suicide

Prevention Training

  • Faith Leaders

    Soul Shop™ Faith Leaders is a workshop for clergy, lay pastors, and faith-based clinicians. It aims to help them build safe communities and prepare them to address suicide as a common part of their work and life.

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  • Youth Leaders

    Soul Shop™ Youth Workers is for those serving youth impacted by suicide and covers impulsivity, contagion, social media, mandatory reporting, and confidentiality, focusing on creating a soul-safe culture in youth ministry.

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  • Black Churches

    Soul Shop™ Black Churches is for clergy, lay pastors, and faith-based clinicians in Black churches. Addressing mental health issues and supporting those affected by trauma and suicide in their unique communities.

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  • Hispanic Churches

    Soul Shop™ for Hispanic Communities! We're excited to offer tailored resources and support for Hispanic communities impacted by suicide. Contact us for more information or inquiries.

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  • Community Leaders

    Soul Shop™ Communities is a community-oriented program exploring how we think and talk about suicide. This training includes an introduction to the CALL model for keeping a person with thoughts of suicide safe.

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  • Soul Shop Africa

    There is an urgent need to implement comprehensive suicide prevention and support initiatives in Cameroon, Africa, where no formal efforts currently exist despite the country having one of the highest suicide rates in the world.

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  • Campus Leaders

    Soul Shop™ Campus Ministry is designed for campus leaders and anyone else who works with college-age students to address the unique needs of young adults ages 17-25 who are impacted by suicide.

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  • Applied Suicide Intervention

    LivingWorks ASIST is a two-day, in-person workshop with audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. Learn to prevent suicide by recognizing warning signs, intervening effectively, and creating a safety plan with expert guidance.

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Soul Shop™ for Faith Leaders

Soul Shop™ for Black Churches

Soul Shop™ for Hispanic Church

Soul Shop™ Other Trainings

Transforming Lives (Testamonies)

  • The work you did with us moved us forward in our healing and into a new place. One parishioner who has been at All Saints for decades said, "This is the most real I can ever remember us being together."

    -The Reverend Genevieve Razim, Rector All Saints Episcopal Church, Austin Tx.

  • Last week’s event was phenomenal! My mind is buzzing with ideas, and many of us are actively discussing how we can become a 'soul safe' community that brings hope to those in need. We're exploring ways to form a cohort, create a dedicated space, and even adapt the AA materials—one participant has already started! This experience has made it clear that we cannot stay the same after sharing this time with you and hearing your clarion call.

    -Soul Shop Participant

  • I just wanted to say thank you for the amazing workshop you led last Thursday on suicide! The impact and impression that it left on my heart was not only life changing, but unforgettable! I pray that God would continue to use you in ways unimaginable, and that His favor and blessings consistently pour out to you! Let’s talk more about possible training!!!

    -Soul Shop Participant

  • "I am writing to tell you that your work helped to save a life today. I told both of my young adult sons about the Soul Shop training and what I learned.

    Today, my son called the police, who then interfered with an attempt in progress. As he was talking about his experience with me this afternoon, he said several things that I had told him after Soul Shop. Thank you for your ministry."

    -Soul Shop Participant

  • The content, although sensitive, was handled adeptly with compassion and sensibility with scripture support.

    -Soul Shop for Black Churches participant

  • Two days after I attended the Soul Shop for Leaders training I had a student say these words to me, "Dr. Smith, I am going to commit suicide." Based on the training and things I learned, I was able to diffuse the situation and get her to promise me that she wouldn't take her life. She also committed to me that she would reach out to me if she had suicidal thoughts again. The role playing, prayer writing, and practice using the word suicide in a sentence were extremely useful. Additionally, in our faculty meeting, I gave a report on the training and encouraged all faculty to never be afraid to ask anyone if they are considering suicide and to refer them to me if there were any concerning signs or symptoms.

    Thank you for providing such a practical training. It's already proven extremely beneficial for me as I care for students.

    -Soul Shop for Leaders participant, Jeanie

New Devotional Available

Prayers of Hope and Comfort