Talitha Arnold, UCC pastor, among leaders launching national campaign to prevent suicide
On a national weekend of prayer, congregations lifted up people struggling with mental health issues, mental health professionals, faith leaders, and those seeking help.
After Talitha Arnold lost her father to suicide when she was a child, no one talked about mental illness in church. Now a United Church of Christ minister, Arnold is among the leaders launching a national campaign striving to promote mental health and prevent suicide.
“The intention is not to add one more thing for clergy and congregations,” she said. “It’s possible to build on the strengths the church already has and to find the gaps.”
Arnold co-leads the Faith Communities Task Force for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, which sponsored a National Day of Prayer for Faith, Hope, & Life the weekend of September 8–10. The alliance received an estimated 74,550 pledges from people to pray on their holy day of the weekend. More than 50,000 viewed the campaign's video, and thousands of people interacted with the topic on social media.
