The Black Church's Response to Suicide

Recognizing the rise in suicide among African Americans first hand among African Americans, Dr. William M. Young and his wife, Pastor Dianne Young, have accepted the challenge of raising the awareness and promoting the idea that suicide is preventable.  Their choice of venue through which to promote this important 21st century concern: the Black Church.  The Black Church has become a hub used to promote the importance of physical health over the past ten years, and it has become been a great match, so; the Young's would like for the church to one day become the hub for delivery of mental health services as well.  This concept works because when the church speaks or leads the charge, it removes the stigma and gives greater accessibility. 

Additionally, the Young's recognize that most violent acts in our communities and suicide, in most cases, happen when individual(s) fail to care for themselves emotionally.  Since violence and suicide are issues of the heart and soul-mind, feelings and emotions-what greater place to promote life.