Good news: When the state cut funding for suicide prevention, this Wyoming church stepped in

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

On a Sunday in September, morning light drifted through stained glass as churchgoers in Rock Springs raised their eyes to God.......

“God of Mercy, hear our prayer for ourselves, our friends and families who hold painful memories of loss, grief and suicide,” the priests read. “We ask for strength for today, courage for tomorrow and peace for the past.”

They fight the stigma of suicide with efforts like the special liturgy and train their clergy and lay people to recognize the signs. Suicide prevention has been a priority for the Episcopal church in Wyoming for years. But after state lawmakers drastically cut funding for prevention earlier this year, the church’s efforts further intensified.

To read more:

http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/when-the-state-cut-funding-for-suicide-prevention-this-wyoming/article_72702909-bf07-5c73-bb58-d6089132ef15.html

In a perfect world, the state would recognize how critically important mental health issues are. But when it does not, when budgetary concerns outweigh the needs of the actual people that legislators claim to represent, it is good that outside organizations will step in and help.

[Merlot]

1. Not good news that the state cut funding for suicide prevention

[guillaumeb]

4. No, it is terrible news.

Lives sacrificed on the conservative altar of endless austerity.

[PragmaticDem]

2. It is a good thing the church stepped in.

[dflprincess]

3. It is

But it also encourages the right wing to think if they slash social programs private charities will pick up the slack

[Ferrets are Cool]

6. Ding, Ding, Ding...I hear this shit ALL the time.

I hate that most of my taxes go to buying bullets and guns to KILL people rather than to helping people LIVE better lives.

[guillaumeb]

5. Better would have been no cutbacks.

Protecting the citizens is a state responsibility.