The 988 Lifeline offers round-the-clock, no-cost, and private assistance for individuals experiencing distress. It also offers preventive measures and crisis aids for you or your close ones, along with professional best practices, all within the United States.

Call or Text 988

If you're facing challenges or feel a sense of hopelessness, call our prayer line for support. In prayer, sharing your thoughts and feelings can bring comfort and help lighten your burden. You don't have to go through this alone – there are people who care about you and are willing to offer their support.

Call 1-618-515-5844

Need Prayer

We are always near to help you.

SERVICES

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Suicide Crisis Hotline

Are you or someone you know experiencing feelings of anger, sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, struggling with thoughts of suicide or affected by suicide or mass shootings? We are here for you, 24 hours a day.

Prayer Help Line

Everybody has a role to play in preventing suicide, and ReThink Hope UMC has lots of ways you can take part. With your help, we can spread awareness about suicide and mass shooting prevention, and save lives.

Help Save a Life

We provide resources to prevent suicide and mass shootings through public awareness and education, and to serve as a resource to those touched by suicide and mass shootings

Voices of Education

Harnessing their collective human and financial resources, the faith and business communities can play a pivotal role in preventing suicides and mass shootings by investing ReThink Hope UMC, crisis intervention training, and community initiatives that promote resilience and foster a sense of belonging.

Partners Organizations

All about
ReThink Hope UMC

ABOUT

Faith in Hope, Love in Action
Embracing Life Together

Statement Of Faith:
ReThink Hope UMC affirms that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Lord of all. We respect persons of all religious faiths, and we defend religious freedom for all persons.

Mission:

ReThink Hope UMC is dedicated to preventing mass shootings and suicides and supporting victims through open dialogue, education, and compassionate intervention. We aim to create a healing environment with prayer, offer targeted assistance, and be a beacon of support for those affected, building a safer, more compassionate community.

Vision:

Our vision is that every UMC will have a Rethink Hope Ministry where people of all ages can come and share their burdens with others, for We of ReThink Hope UMC are our brothers and sisters keepers!

We're working together to make sure fewer people die by suicide or mass shootings.

APPROACH

The ReThink Hope UMC and the 988 Lifeline form a nationwide network of local United Methodist Churches and crisis centers, offering free and confidential emotional support to those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7 in the United States, with a focus on enhancing crisis services, promoting suicide prevention, and raising awareness.

Strength that speaks for itself

BENEFITS

Whether you're contemplating suicide, concerned for a friend or family member,ReThink Hope is here for you.

Help

Join us in making a meaningful difference by helping to prevent suicides and offer support to those in need.

Volunteer

By contributing to our cause, you can play a crucial role in reducing suicides where lives are saved and hope is restored.

Donate

What our professionals, survivors and volunteers are saying.

TESTIMONIALS

Dr. Joshua Gordon

Hope Through Early Prevention and Intervention

Brian

Suicide Survivor shares his story on dealing with mental illness

Saint Mark UMC

Let' Talk: Suicide Prevention & Hope

You're probably
wondering...

Questions

Who are the mass public shooters?

97% of mass public shooters are men and the average age of a mass shooter is 34 years. Mass shooters have many grievances, but shootings motivated by hate and fame-seeking have increased since 2015. They often target people associated with groups that they themselves detest: religious, political, sexual orientation, ethnic hatred, etc. (Source: The Violence Project)
Where do mass shooters occur?

Mass public shootings most frequently occur at places of work and commerce, but trends change over time. Thirty % of mass shootings occurred in the work place.
What are the warning signs?

Nearly half of individuals who engaged in mass shootings (48%) leaked their plans in advance to others, including family members, friends, and colleagues, as well as strangers and law enforcement officers. (Source: National Institute of Justice)
Do all mass shooters have a mental problem?

The mental health of mass shooters is complicated. Around 30% of mass shooters experienced psychotic symptoms but perpetrators were only acting on their hallucinations and delusions in about 10% of cases. (Source: The Violence Project)
However, many mass public shooters were suicidal?

Mass shootings are public spectacles of violence intended as final acts. Whether it’s self-inflicted, or comes at the hands of police officers, or after life in prison, a mass shooting is a form of suicide. Traditional preventive measures like increased armed security or harsh criminal sentences will do little to stop them. Data: 31% to the attack, 40% during the attack, 59% died on the scene, (Source: The Violence Project)
What are the warning signs of suicide?

According to the National Institute of Health, the behaviors listed below may be some of the signs that someone is thinking about suicide. Talking about: Wanting to die Great guilt or shame Being a burden to others Feeling: Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage Unbearable emotional or physical pain Changing behavior, such as: Making a plan or researching ways to die Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast Displaying extreme mood swings Eating or sleeping more or less Using drugs or alcohol more often
How does suicide affect other?

There isn't a fixed guideline for how we respond to and manage the aftermath of a suicide. Our connections with the individual who passed away are unique, and we all undergo the grieving process at our individual pace and in our own distinctive manner. When someone's grieving process differs from your own, it doesn't imply they lack concern; they are simply discovering their personal means of coping. Nonetheless, it might be challenging if their behavior feels unfamiliar to you. It can also prove demanding to express your own sorrow amidst others who are reacting differently, particularly if those individuals shared a close bond with the deceased. Exercising patience and empathy is beneficial. It's crucial to make an effort to locate a supportive environment where you can openly share your emotions. Additionally, remember that assistance is available not only from close friends and family but also from other sources outside your immediate circle. These outlets can provide a space where you can freely express yourself without fearing others' reactions. Source: Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
What are the definitions of suicide?

Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt is a non-fatal, self-directed, potentially injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the behavior. A suicide attempt might not result in injury. Suicidal ideation refers to thinking about, considering, or planning suicide.
Is suicide a leading cause of death in the United Sates

Yes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Leading Causes of Death Reports, in 2020: Suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 45,900 people. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10-14 and 25-34 , the third leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 15-24, and the fourth leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 35 and 44. There were nearly two times as many suicides (45,979) in the United States as there were homicides (24,576).
What additional facts about suicide should I know?

The age-adjusted suicide rate in 2021 was 14.04 per 100,000 individuals. The rate of suicide is highest in middle-aged white men. In 2021, men died by suicide 3.9x more than women. On average, there are 132 suicides per day. White males accounted for 69.68% of suicide deaths in 2021. In 2021, firearms accounted for 54.64% of all suicide deaths. 94% of adults surveyed in the U.S. think suicide can be prevented. Source: Center for Disease Control