A Call-To-Action: Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Communities of Color

Quiet as it's kept, suicide is a huge issue among people of color. So then why is it kept quiet?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "[a]lthough black youths have historically had lower suicide rates than have whites, during 1980-1995, the suicide rate for black youths aged 10-19 years increased from 2.1 to 4.5 per 100,000 population. As of 1995, suicide was the third leading cause of death among blacks aged 15-19 years, and high school-aged blacks were as likely as whites to attempt suicide. ...suicidal behavior among all youths has increased; however, rates for black youths have increased more, and the gap between rates for black and white youths has narrowed."*

How many of you out there knew this? How many of you out there know a person in pain?

If you're interested in knowing more, you might want to check out this event:

A Call-To-Action: Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Communities of Color

"Expert speakers join health care professionals, policy leaders, educators, and community partners in discussions and small working-groups to develop strategies addressing Health Care Disparity and suicide in communities of color. The outcome of this planning meeting will uncover gaps in the research, develop and identify resources for communication materials, and set the agenda for a fall 2009 conference –– Affirming Life."

Thursday, February 12, 2009
8:00am - 5:00pm
University of Massachusetts Boston- McCormack Building- Ryan Lounge
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Email: help.affirmlife@gmail.com


*These statistics are only covering black youth. The data for adults, Latino/as, Asian Americans and Native Americans is astounding as well.