BLACK YOUTH SUICIDE PROJECT
A group of concerned people from various community organizations and corners of our community are sounding an alarm about the increase in Black youth suicide nationally and in our community.
Our project was formulated over the last two years and will be kicking off in the fall of 2024! Youth Ambassadors will gather for three days in October of 2024 to work with Dr. Tennisha Riley to design and begin implementing the project. Interested? Please text (260) 797-5892. We hope to meet in the next few months.
OUR GOALS ARE:
Goal 1:
To engage with youth to better understand why the increase in Black youth suicide is happening
Goal 2:
To design relevant strategies that:
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Raise awareness about mental health and suicide with an emphasis on normalizing talking openly about them
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Reduce stigma and shame around mental health and suicide
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Promote and normalize seeking help during challenging times - we want to empower youth to empower their friends and family to get the help when they need it
Goal 3:
Make recommendations for improving mental health care for Black youth. We want them to get the care they need and deserve.
People at the table so far...
Jonathon Wattley, Building a Stronger Family
Antoinette Francher-Donald, Children’s Health Collaborative
Donlaray Reese, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Natasha Andrews, Community Chaplain
Jayme Yates, Bowen Center
Colleen Carpenter & Lily Ganshorn, Stop Suicide Northeast Indiana
Chariee Reason, We Care Counseling
Monique Johnson, Allen County Drug & Alcohol Consortium
Alice Jordan, Behavioral Health & Family Studies Institute, Purdue Fort Wayne