Workshop 6: Suicide and The Right To Die

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Facing Death with Life

In This Section

Introduction
From Facing Death with Life

We cannot tear out a single page of our life, but we can throw the whole book in the fire. — George Sand, 19th century French novelist This workshop focuses on two related topics, both emotionally charged, but in different ways. Suicide and suicide prevention is one topic. The right of terminally…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Facing Death with Life

Activity Time Opening 5 minutes Activity 1: Myths and Facts about Suicide 30 minutes Activity 2: Suicide Prevention 20 minutes Activity 3: Right to Die 40 minutes Activity 4: UUA Right to Die with Dignity Resolution 15 minutes For Next Time 5 minutes Closing 5 minutes…
Materials
From Facing Death with Life

Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Our Covenant from Workshop 1 Handout 1, Looking Ahead to Workshop 7 Suicide Fact Sheet, National Alliance on Mental Illness Three-ring binders with clear plastic covers, one for each participant who does not…
Preparation
From Facing Death with Life

Read materials listed in Handout 1, Looking Ahead to Workshop 6, from Workshop 5. Post Our Covenant from Workshop 1. Customize and make copies of Handout 1, Looking Ahead to Workshop 7 for all participants. Make copies of Suicide Fact Sheet. Make copies of The Right to Die with Dignity, 1988 UUA…
Opening
From Facing Death with Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Light the chalice and share these words from Kate Walker: We open our hearts to love, yet sometimes find pain. We open our hearts to connection, yet sometimes find loss. We yearn for simplicity, yet sometimes find complexity….
Activity 1: Myths and Facts about Suicide
From Facing Death with Life

Activity time: 30 minutes Distribute copies of Suicide Prevention, Myths and Facts and Suicide Fact Sheet, which participants were asked to read before the workshop. Invite them to share things they found surprising from the list and things that verify their own experiences. Be comfortable with…
Activity 2: Suicide Prevention
From Facing Death with Life

Activity time: 20 minutes Show the video Teen Suicide Prevention or distribute copies of Suicide Warning Signs. Invite comments and observations. Ask how the information in the video or handout is applicable to people of all ages. Then lead a conversation about what your congregation might do to…
Activity 3: Right to Die
From Facing Death with Life

Activity time: 40 minutes Show Segment of “The Suicide Plan” (15:06-21:08), Frontline, PBS. Then call attention to color pencils, markers, pens, and pencils….
Activity 4: UUA Right to Die with Dignity Resolution
From Facing Death with Life

Activity time: 15 minutes Distribute copies of The Right to Die with Dignity, 1988 UUA General Resolution, or project it. Go around the circle and ask participants to read aloud one section at a time, noting that it is fine to pass. After you have read the resolution, ask: What has changed since…
For Next Time
From Facing Death with Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Share with participants any updates on upcoming plans. Distribute Handout 1, Looking Ahead to Workshop 7 and answer any questions. Tell participants that Find Out More includes additional resources they may wish to explore.
Closing
From Facing Death with Life

Activity time: 5 minutes Share these closing words from Lee Ann Wester: Is there such a thing as a good death? Perhaps we should ask is there such a thing as a good life? To live a good life with Love, Honesty, Kindness, Humor, Compassion. Couldn’t a good death contain these qualities, too? In…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Facing Death with Life

Make a time for individual reflection and discussion with your co-leader after the conclusion of the workshop. Consider these questions: What worked well in today’s workshop? How can these elements or approaches be repeated or amplified in the future? What was most challenging?…
Handout 1: Looking Ahead to Workshop 7
From Facing Death with Life

We cannot tear out a single page of our life, but we can throw the whole book in the fire. — George Sand, 19th century French novelist Field Trip Information Here are details for our upcoming field trip(s): [Insert your information here. For suggestions about the field trip(s), see the program…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 6: Suicide and The Right To Die

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