MENA (MNN) — October 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. There is a practical way to focus prayers and awareness on those who may be in need of hope.
An unseen enemy claims more than 700.000 lives every year: suicide. In the Middle East and North Africa, where war, instability, and uncertainty often deepen despair, the struggle is especially heavy.
Walking alongside those who suffer is vital. That’s one of the key focuses for SAT-7 teams working in Persian, Turkish, and Arabic contexts. They provide safe spaces for listeners to understand themselves better and to be encouraged.
Joe Willey from SAT-7 explains, “SAT-7 has programs that will address things — suicide, disability — things that are, at best, really uncomfortable culturally, but often just ignored.”
(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)
In many cultures across the Middle East and North Africa, people facing doubt or fear are often encouraged to turn to Islamic practices. The concept of collective honor can make vulnerability difficult — sharing struggles may be seen as weakness.
Alone with their fears and pressures, some lose hope. This is where the message of Jesus brings healing.
Sometimes, callers reach out to SAT-7’s hotline saying, I just don’t want to live anymore. “They’re listened to first,” says Willey, “but they’re told the understanding of the Gospel and the biblical worldview — that no, there is great hope, and you are made in the image of God, and God loves you.”
For someone standing on the edge — feeling like an outsider in their own culture and ready to give up — a new day begins. It all comes back to this unshakable truth: every man, woman, and child is made in the image of God. Life is His gift, and He has a purpose for each one.
SAT-7 continues to air programs for those facing mental and emotional challenges. Willey adds, “It’s the Christian worldview to say, even though there may be something that is difficult, it’s desperate right now, maybe, there is a disability, there is still great hope in Christ and in God’s plan.”
Pray that as SAT-7’s team creates new programs, they’ll be led by the Holy Spirit to bring healing and hope. Pray also that churches across the Middle East and North Africa will be sensitive to their communities and serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to whoever might need it.
Header photo courtesy of Akhil Nath via Unsplash.
