This is a press release that has been contributed to the AmNews but has not been vetted or verified but that may be of interest to the community.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is rolling out a new educational program supporting mental health equity for African American communities.
L.E.T.S. (Listening, Empathy, Trust, Support) Save Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Black and African American Communities is a free presentation created by and for Black people, designed to reduce cultural stigma, foster conversations about mental health, and raise awareness of suicide prevention for individuals who identify as Black or African American.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and African American communities, along with other underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, often face disproportionate inequities in care, support or services for mental health. It’s concerning that suicide is a health issue in the Black community and the rates are trending upward. The U.S. Black population experienced an 18.8% increase in age-adjusted suicide rates during 2018-2021 and a 39.1% increase among Black persons aged 15-29. The age-adjusted suicide rate for Black and African American people was 8.34 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. This loss of life is tragic and creates suffering for those who lose loved ones to suicide. Research shows that suicide can be preventable and, with knowledge and action, lives can be saved. L.E.T.S. Save Lives can help to strengthen equity and accessibility in suicide prevention education.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
“L.E.T.S. Save Lives is an effort to help normalize the conversation regarding suicide in the Black and African American community,” said Victor Armstrong, AFSP vice president for health equity and engagement. “It is a reminder that losing hope and social connection is not exclusive to any one race or culture, and neither is creating pathways to restore hope.”
The content of the 90-minute educational presentation is grounded in research and based on the key concepts of Listening, Empathy, Trust, and Support (L.E.T.S.). Participants can strengthen their understanding of mental health and suicide prevention through activity-based learning and take-home resources. The presentation is for individuals 18 years or older who identify as Black or African American and those who want to learn more about how to support suicide prevention efforts for this community.
Save Lives was created by an advisory committee of experts in Black and African American mental health and suicide prevention, researchers, clinicians, survivors of suicide loss, and those with lived experience. The visual design was developed in partnership with The House of Joy, a Black and woman-owned cultural marketing agency. Presenters of the program all identify as Black and African American.
“What AFSP, its partners, volunteers, and fellow advocates have accomplished with this pilot launch is a tremendous step in the right direction,” said Keon Lewis, L.E.T.S. Save Lives presenter. “I am not only looking forward to the engaging dialogue it will encourage, but I am also excited to see how this presentation will contribute to transformative change in mental health and suicide prevention for our Black communities.”
AFSP will be hosting a livestream event to introduce the program on February 15, 2024, at 3 pm ET titled: “Talking About Suicide Prevention for the Black Community: Introducing the L.E.T.S. Save Lives Program.” To watch live visit https://www.facebook.com/AFSPnational/ or https://www.youtube.com/afspnational.
To learn more about L.E.T.S. Save Lives please visit afsp.org/letssavelives.