One of The Triangle’s historically black colleges/universities (HBCUs) is taking an essential step in addressing its campus’ 和 surrounding communities’ needs. Saint Augustine’s University (分) 和 the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) are joining forces to host a special event in honor of Black 历史 Month, focusing on mental health awareness 和 suicide prevention in the Black community.

The event will feature a panel discussion on “Suicide Prevention in the Black 社区,” which aims to address the increasing rates of suicide among Black Americans 和 the unique mental health challenges they face, 和 protective factors. The panel occurs on Tuesday, February 20th, from 11 a.m. to noon at the university campus’ Seby Jones Fine Arts Center Auditorium. The event is open to the public 和 will be live-streamed on 分’s 脸谱网页面 和 YouTube频道.

According to the CDC, the Black population in the U.S. has experienced an 18.8% increase in age-adjusted suicide rates from 2018 to 2021, with a 39.1% increase among Black persons aged 15-29. Despite these alarming statistics, there continues to be a stigma around discussing suicide in the Black community 和 recognizing it as a public health issue.

“We are deeply committed to addressing the mental health challenges faced by the Black community, 和 this event is a significant step in raising awareness 和 promoting open dialogue around suicide prevention,” said 分 Interim President Dr. 马库斯H. 伯吉斯. “By joining forces with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 和 esteemed panelists, we aim to empower our community to take proactive measures in tackling this critical issue.”

AFSP Vice President for Health Equity 和 Engagement 维克·阿姆斯特朗，城市生活垃圾, will moderate the panel. Joining the discussion are Board Chair of the AFSP NC Chapter Keon Lewis; Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work, 北卡罗来纳大学夏洛特, 和 Director of the Race 和 Social Equity Academy Dr. Sonyia Richardson; 和 分 Student Mister Saint Augustine’s University Louis Keenan Lowndes.

“Eradicating stigma 和 reducing the rate of suicide in the Black community can only occur if we are willing to acknowledge the issue 和 have open, 诚实的对话,” said AFSP’s VP of Health Equity Vic Armstrong. “We know that creating programs for 和 by the Black community is key to engaging in these conversations, 和 we are thrilled to have launched an educational program to deepen awareness of suicide 和 underst和ing of how to support those who are struggling called L.E.T.S. (听, 同理心, 信任, Support) Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for the Black 和 African American 社区.”

The event will also include a faculty/staff training session led by AFSP’s Vic Armstrong to equip educators with the knowledge 和 tools to support mental health within the university community with a L.E.T.S. Save Lives presentation.

Saint Augustine’s University invites the broader community to join in this critical conversation 和 contribute to the collective effort of suicide prevention in the Black community. Beyond attending the panel, they can sign up for a L.E.T.S. Save Lives presentation through the local AFSP North Carolina chapter by 点击这里.

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives 和 bringing hope to those affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a 损失. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health through public education 和 community programs, develops suicide prevention through research 和 advocacy, 和 provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia 和 headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, DC, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states, 华盛顿和波多黎各, with programs 和 events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest 年度报告 和 join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on 脸谱网, 推特, Instagram, YouTube 和 TikTok.