JACKSON, Wyo.— Suicide reaches into our lives in multiple ways and suicidal desperation affects a large and ever-growing population. According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide has ranked as the 10th leading cause of death for all ages in the United States since 2008 and Wyoming is ranked as the state with the 3rd highest suicide rate in all of the US.

It is also recognized that most of us are not equipped to adequately respond to the issues and desperation around suicide. That’s why from October 24–27, St. John’s Episcopal Church will be hosting a number of workshops to equip parents, leaders, students, and community members with the tools to understand and take action against suicide.

“So many of us struggle for the right words and resources to help people we love who face suicidal desperation,” said St. John’s Reverend Jimmy Bartz. “Soul Shop is meant to give us these words and connections to those resources.”

The sessions will address many topics including the primary obstacles to dealing with suicidal desperation, (stigma, fear, and shame); statistics/facts about suicide; and strategies for how communities can create a supportive environment while fundamentally altering the way people deal with this subject and one another.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Soul Shop for Parents, Youth, and Leaders – Thursday, October 24
6 p.m.–8 p.m.

Soul Shop for Senior Citizens – Friday, October 25
12–1 p.m.
Senior Center of Jackson Hole, 830 E. Hansen Ave.

Soul Shop for Leaders – Saturday, October 26
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Networking mixer immediately following at Hand Fire Pizza

Soul Shop for Community Members – Sunday, October 27
1–3 p.m

All sessions at St. John’s Episcopal Church
170 N. Glenwood St., Hansen Hall
(Seniors meet at Senior Center)

All events are free of charge however, registration is required. For more details, please see the St. John’s website (www.stjohnsjackson.org). The event has PTSB approved credits. For more information, interested parties can call 307-733-2603 or email info@stjohnsjackson.org.