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Recognizing World Mental Health Day: How families play a crucial role in suicide prevention

THE AFRO — Experts stress that family and community support can be lifesaving in preventing suicide, with simple acts like listening, showing up and connecting loved ones to care making all the difference.

Published

10 months ago

October 11, 2025

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer, tmcqueen@afro.com

Each year World Mental Health Day serves as a time for the members of the community to focus on their mental and emotional health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “the day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.”

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that “depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions go on to engage in life.”

Licensed clinical social worker Charde Hollins emphasizes the vital role of family and community in suicide prevention. She encourages open listening, support and connecting loved ones to professional care. Photo Credit: Courtesy photo.

Experts stress that family and community support can be lifesaving in preventing suicide, with simple acts like listening, showing up and connecting loved ones to care making all the difference.

When a person struggles with mental health challenges, a simple listening ear or consistent presence from family can be powerfully influential. Mental health experts Charde Hollins, Lontonia Bryant and Dorian Withrow Jr. emphasize this, highlighting the crucial role of family in suicide prevention and offering practical tips for supporting loved ones.

“Family, friends and community members are often the first to notice when something is off,” said Hollins, a licensed clinical social worker. “That makes them the front line of prevention—not because they have to ‘fix’ someone, but because they have the power to respond rather than retreat.”

Hollins said the first way to intervene is simply to listen.

Mental health counselor Lontonia Bryant highlights the importance of family and community when it comes to mental health. She believes a strong circle can help youth navigate mental health challenges and prevent suicide. Photo Credit: Courtesy photo.

“When someone shares their struggle, they’re not always asking for a solution—they’re asking for safety,” said Hollins. “Your role is to hold space without judgment and to validate instead of minimize.”

She advised avoiding clichés such as “it’s not that bad” or “think positive.” Instead, she recommends open and direct language like “thank you for trusting me with this” or “I’m here, you don’t have to go through this alone.”

Hollins said a family member can also ask directly if someone is thinking about suicide.

“Say the word,” said Hollins. “It won’t plant the idea. It creates a lifeline.”

The next step is getting professional help.

“In my work training communities and organizations in mental health first aid and QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), I’ve seen how everyday people can learn to spot warning signs, ask clear questions, de-escalate and connect someone to care,” said Hollins.

Hollins said the best support is knowing when to refer someone to a professional, rather than trying to rescue them on their own.

Licensed clinical social worker Dorian Withrow Jr. believes that being fully present and giving individuals genuine attention and support can help them feel seen and reduce the risk of suicide. Photo Credit: Courtesy photo.

“Just because you know CPR doesn’t mean you skip the hospital afterward. The skills keep someone stable until professional help arrives,” said Hollins. “The same logic applies to mental health.”

She acknowledged medical distrust in the Black community is real and justified but emphasized the importance of not letting health issues go unaddressed.

“Look for culturally responsive providers, ask about their experience with Black clients, bring a support person if needed, and use telehealth if access is a barrier,” said Hollins. “Mental health is health. Your best friend and support system can love you, but they shouldn’t be your only plan of care, it’s not sustainable.”

From 2018 to 2023, suicide rates in the U.S. rose significantly among Black and Hispanic individuals, by 25.2 percent and 10 percent, respectively, while declining 3.1 percent among White individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Bryant, a mental health counselor, said family support can be monumental in the Black community.

“Family is the backbone of our community and is the safe haven for many,” said Bryant. “For some the family unit is a place of support without judgement, being heard, guided and sharing personal struggles. This is very important when things are overwhelming.”

If someone doesn’t have family to lean on, support from their community can be just as valuable.

“It takes a village with love, support and guidance to form the circle of support that is needed to help our youth,” said Bryant. “When we come together as a community and can openly talk about different things affecting our youth, whether it is suicide, mental health or education, it lessens the silence.”

Suicide is a leading cause of death for children and young adults in the U.S. In 2023, it was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Withrow, a licensed clinical social worker, said feeling invisible can lead to suicidal thoughts.

“Many people don’t believe anyone truly sees or cares about their problems,” said Withrow. “As a result, they begin to internalize the belief that no one will help which can lead to isolation, withdrawal and in some cases, antisocial behavior. That behavior may take the form of aggression, theft, destruction, or, tragically, self-harm or suicide.”

In 2023, suicide was the second leading cause of death for U.S. youth and young adults ages 10-34. Photo Credit: Chart courtesy of the National Institute of Mental Health

Suicide can be a desperate attempt to be seen.

“This is where family, friends and neighbors really matter,” said Withrow. “When we give someone our full attention—open, honest and present—it can be what pulls them from the edge of despair toward hope.”

Withrow added it’s not about saying all the right words but simply showing up.

“In our communities, we show up with food, rides and prayer,” said Hollins. “Keep doing that and add resources, boundaries and referrals. You don’t have to be a therapist, you have to be a bridge. Love and action can get someone through it.”

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

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