The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated $150,000 to a suicide prevention and awareness campaign in Utah, Church leaders announced on Sept. 23.
This public-private effort has already raised more than $2 million, Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox said during a news conference at the Utah State Capitol. The funds will be used to raise awareness and understanding through a multi-platform messaging effort which will be launched in mid-2020.
The Church was represented at the news conference by Elder Craig C. Christensen, General Authority Seventy and Utah Area president.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is grateful to be part of this important effort,” Elder Christensen said. “It is a blessing to work closely with dedicated public servants, other faith leaders, healthcare professionals, business leaders, and, especially, with survivors all coming together to share messages of hope and an expression of love for those who are struggling.”
The Church’s $150,000 donation matches its previous donation made in 2018 to the governor’s suicide prevention fund. The Utah Legislature, Intermountain Healthcare and the University of Utah Health were among other groups who donated this year.
“We hope this campaign will advance and modify attitudes and social norms to demonstrably reduce suffering and save lives,” Cox said.
Speaking to Church Educational System employees, missionaries and their spouses in February 2019, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave a hopeful message in light of teen suicide.
“A greater understanding of Jesus Christ will help those who are spiraling down,” said Elder Rasband. “His love for them and the profound and exalted place He has prepared for them in the eternities is a message of hope. He loves them. They need to know that.”
Resources for understanding, preventing and healing from suicide can be found on suicide.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
