Houghton – Soul Shop: Faith-based Suicide Prevention Training

Soul Shop: Faith-based suicide prevention training set for June 26

Copper Shores Outreach & Education is hosting Soul Shop with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan on Thursday, June 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Houghton (245 East Montezuma Avenue). Soul Shop is a suicide prevention training program designed for leaders and members of all faith-based communities. Training is free to attend and open to members of all faith-based communities; breakfast and lunch will be provided.

“This training is a great pastoral tool for those in the church and a great inside look for those outside of the church,” said Marna Franson, Missioner with the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan. “Soul Shop allows for a collaborative vision of community intervention to be implemented between the religious space and the mental health profession.”

This training opportunity reflects a broader effort to close the gaps between faith and mental health support in meaningful, community-centered ways. Copper Shores is committed to serving all members of the community, including those for whom faith is important. For many, religion provides a sense of connection and community – important factors in preventing suicide.

“Religion is a point of trauma for many people, which has historically created a divide between faith communities and nonprofit communities,” said Kristine Martens, Copper Shores Outreach & Education program director. “For people whose faith is important to them, they feel a disservice when it’s not incorporated into public services like mental health training. Soul Shop bridges this gap.”

Soul Shop was developed in by Fe Anam Avis, a paster with a passion for suicide prevention, who noticed that the trainings he hosted did not attract faith-based community members. In an effort to draw in faith leaders, educators and active congregation members, Avis created a suicide prevention training that shows the messiness of humanity embraced within scriptures, highlighting that many of the activities of a church are really prevention work.

Registration

Registration closes at the end of the day on Wednesday, June 25. Register for free and learn more about Soul Shop at coppershores.org/soul-shop. To learn more about Copper Shores Outreach & Education, visit coppershores.org/outreach-and-education.