workshops and Presenters
Suicide in the Black Community
Bruce McAlister, ThD, LCSW
Suicide rates have reached epidemic proportions in the Black community and are rising faster than other racial/ethnic groups. Our elderly, LGBTQIA and men are completing suicide at higher rates than ever before. Additionally, with the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice protests further affecting Black mental health, suicides among Black people doubled during COVID-19, while suicides in others were cut in half during the same period. It’s critically important that clinicians and organizations learn how to identify, assess, and intervene in this crisis.
What’s Going On? Black Youth and Suicide
Kimani Norrington-Sands, PhD
The rate of suicidality is increasing faster in Black American youth than in any other group in the United States. Suicidal ideation and behavior
among African American adolescents may have different manifestations and risk factors in comparison with that of adolescents from other ethnic backgrounds. This workshop focuses on the 1) social realities of Black youth; 2). risk/protective factors and warning signs; 3). Possible connections to mental health; and 4). prevention and intervention strategies.
Recognizing Mental Health Challenges in the Black Community/From Surviving to Thriving.
Dr. Jennifer Jones, PsyD
This workshop concentrates on understanding the root causes of why mental health challenges in the Black community that lead to suicide are not recognized. Identifies the causes and brings them into today’s context. Provides strength- based interventions by giving resilience a make-over, moving away from just surviving to thriving
Beyond the War We Know – Black Veterans/Active Duty Military and Suicide
Larry Cormier, LMFT
This workshop focuses on the need of greater support for African American veterans through either policy or access to more mental health care. Larry Cormier will discuss the stigma and historical challenges faced by this population. Contributing factors will be identified and by understanding the mechanisms and associations of suicide attempts, assessment and intervention can be designed and implemented. Social change implication indicates the need for greater advocacy.
“I Hurt Too”: Suicide in School Aged Children
Buffy Bowers – Woods, LCSW, PPSC
Sometimes the voice of the African American boy or girl goes unspoken or unnoticed as it relates to deep emotional pain and thoughts of suicide. This workshop explores factors that contribute to their angst. Our focus must shift to asking ourselves – what causes the African American boy or girl’s emotional pain to go unspoken or unnoticed? They hurt too. Prevention and intervention strategies are explored to address this crisis.
Being Black in Foster Care – Suicide and the Foster Child
Anna Harvey, MSW
Suicide rates among youth in foster care are among the highest in the nation. As a result of their disproportionate overrepresentation in the Child Welfare System, Black children are 2.5 times more likely to be placed in foster care. Once placed there, they stay longer and are not adopted at the same rate as other populations. This workshop explores the experience of Black children in the foster care system, aging out, and risk factors that contribute to suicide in this population. Prevention and intervention strategies are identified.
The Graying of Black America: Suicide among our Elderly
Sandra Nelson, RN,MSN
Suicide is a leading cause of death among elderly Americans, and the problem is expected to increase as the elderly population continues to grow. Between 2010 and 2020 the number of suicides in the elderly Black community increased by 64%. While research on suicides in the African-American elderly has been limited, this workshop will examine the risk factors, interventions and protective factors necessary to reduce suicides in this population.