Last month two young pastors committed suicide, leaving their families, friends, and churches wondering what they could have done or said to have prevented it.
Teddy Parker, a 42 year old pastor and father of two shot himself on November 8 in his driveway near Atlanta while his 800-member church and his family waited for him to show up to preach that Sunday. Parker suffered from manic depression.
Two weeks later, 35 year old pastor Jim Kelley shot himself in West Tennesee. He was the father of two young daughters, and the husband of a pregnant wife. He texted a friend the location of his body and the suicide note he left in his Bible.
A 2012 report by the Centers for Disease Control reveals that an average of 105 Americans commit suicide each day. An estimated 8.3 million adults report having suicidal thoughts each year.
If you are a pastor who is struggling with suicidal thoughts or ongoing depression, please consider these suggestions.
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