17 Sep 2025, 19:42Valdeiza CostaBury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom
Bury St Edmunds Church Marks Suicide Prevention Day
On Sabbath, 13 September 2025, the Bury St Edmunds Seventh-day Adventist Church held a special awareness programme in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day. The focus was on depression as a major risk factor for suicide, with members engaging in open discussion, practical learning, and spiritual reflection.
Global statistics show that suicide rates are rising, especially among young people. Many in society — and even in our congregations — have been touched by this tragedy. The presentation reminded members that prevention begins with awareness: knowing the warning signs, recognising risk factors, and learning how to support those at risk and their families.
“As Christians, we are called not only to care for the soul, but also for the mind and body,” said Valdeiza Costa, psychologist and leader of the church’s Nurture Department, who delivered the talk. “Just as diabetes or high blood pressure requires treatment, so does depression.”
The programme explained that depression is not a lack of faith, but a medical condition that affects the brain, emotions, and body. Symptoms include low mood, fatigue, loss of interest in daily activities, changes in sleep and appetite, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.
The Bible records faithful believers who struggled emotionally. Elijah prayed for death (1 Kings 19), Job lamented his own birth, and David wrote psalms of anguish. God did not condemn them, but restored and comforted them.
Ellen White also acknowledged that even committed Christians may go through “seasons of deep depression”. The message was clear: depression is not evidence of weak faith, but an illness that calls for both medical care and Christian compassion.
Valdeiza introduced the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a screening tool used by health professionals. While not a diagnosis, it can guide individuals to seek further help from their GP. Together with Nicolas Costa, also a psychologist and member of the congregation, she offered to provide support and guidance for anyone wishing to learn more or even to get extra support.
The presentation also stressed the importance of language. Common remarks such as “This is a lack of faith” or “Just pray harder” can be deeply harmful. Instead, words of empathy and reassurance are needed: “I’m here with you”, “God loves you right now”, “Let’s pray together and seek help”.
The session ended with a call to practical compassion: listening without judgment, praying with those in pain, encouraging professional treatment, and simply being present. Silence and a hug, members were reminded, can often mean more than words.
Quoting Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” — Valdeiza closed by urging the congregation to be a community where no one suffers alone, and where God’s love is shown through empathy and action.
Members engaged actively with the discussion, completing the questionnaire and asking thoughtful questions. The atmosphere was one of openness, hope, and determination to take mental health seriously.
The Bury St Edmunds church hopes this initiative will inspire other congregations to address difficult issues with honesty, compassion, and the healing spirit of Christ.
On Sabbath, 13 September 2025, the Bury St Edmunds Seventh-day Adventist Church held a special awareness programme in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day. The focus was on depression as a major risk factor for suicide, with members engaging in open discussion, practical learning, and spiritual reflection.
Global statistics show that suicide rates are rising, especially among young people. Many in society — and even in our congregations — have been touched by this tragedy. The presentation reminded members that prevention begins with awareness: knowing the warning signs, recognising risk factors, and learning how to support those at risk and their families.
“As Christians, we are called not only to care for the soul, but also for the mind and body,” said Valdeiza Costa, psychologist and leader of the church’s Nurture Department, who delivered the talk. “Just as diabetes or high blood pressure requires treatment, so does depression.”
The programme explained that depression is not a lack of faith, but a medical condition that affects the brain, emotions, and body. Symptoms include low mood, fatigue, loss of interest in daily activities, changes in sleep and appetite, and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts.
The Bible records faithful believers who struggled emotionally. Elijah prayed for death (1 Kings 19), Job lamented his own birth, and David wrote psalms of anguish. God did not condemn them, but restored and comforted them.
Ellen White also acknowledged that even committed Christians may go through “seasons of deep depression”. The message was clear: depression is not evidence of weak faith, but an illness that calls for both medical care and Christian compassion.
Valdeiza introduced the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a screening tool used by health professionals. While not a diagnosis, it can guide individuals to seek further help from their GP. Together with Nicolas Costa, also a psychologist and member of the congregation, she offered to provide support and guidance for anyone wishing to learn more or even to get extra support.
The presentation also stressed the importance of language. Common remarks such as “This is a lack of faith” or “Just pray harder” can be deeply harmful. Instead, words of empathy and reassurance are needed: “I’m here with you”, “God loves you right now”, “Let’s pray together and seek help”.
The session ended with a call to practical compassion: listening without judgment, praying with those in pain, encouraging professional treatment, and simply being present. Silence and a hug, members were reminded, can often mean more than words.
Quoting Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” — Valdeiza closed by urging the congregation to be a community where no one suffers alone, and where God’s love is shown through empathy and action.
Members engaged actively with the discussion, completing the questionnaire and asking thoughtful questions. The atmosphere was one of openness, hope, and determination to take mental health seriously.
The Bury St Edmunds church hopes this initiative will inspire other congregations to address difficult issues with honesty, compassion, and the healing spirit of Christ.
