6 Ways to Provide Better Care for Suicidal Non-Religious People
By Gayle Jordan, executive director of Recovering from Religion
The National Suicide Hotline recently asked several organizations, including Recovering from Religion, to provide some suggestions. The federal commission which directs the Hotline is considering the feasibility of creating a 3-digit telephone number, and determining how well the Hotline addresses the needs of veterans.
Studies have shown that, in the US, religiously-unaffiliated individuals who are depressed have higher rates of suicidal behavior Despite this disparity, there is a significant lack of research into the stress experiences of atheists and other religiously-unaffiliated people in the US. This dearth of research is particularly notable given the increasing size of religiously-unaffiliated populations. Currently, about 24% of adults are religiously-unaffiliated. Atheists and agnostics make up about 7% of the total population Counselors have highlighted the necessity for a greater understanding of the needs and beliefs of atheists and religiously-unaffiliated people in order to better serve these populations.
Our comments, of course, were directed toward the support the Hotline provides for religiously-unaffiliated folks, folks facing a faith crisis, and persons who have faced religion-based trauma.
