North Carolina leaders, advocates attend first Black youth suicide prevention conference

State officials, mental health advocates and community members gathered Sept. 20 in Rocky Mount for the Stronger Together conference, North Carolina's first event centered on the state's Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan, NC News Line reported Sept. 23. The gathering featured community-driven solutions to one of the most pressing public health challenges facing Black youth. The plan comes as suicide rates among Black youth and young adults have risen sharply nationwide. In North Carolina, from 2013 to 2022, 377 Black North Carolinians ages 10 to 24 died by suicide, according to state data. Nearly 17% of Black high school students said they had seriously considered suicide, while more than a third of middle schoolers reported the same. The numbers peak at age 24 — and are especially stark for Black girls questioning their sexual orientation, who now report the highest rates of suicide attempts in schools statewide. The conference drew dozens of participants despite early funding challenges. Dr. Rodney Harris, who coordinated the event, described it as the product of grassroots persistence. “We're creating a coalition that saves lives,” Harris said in a speech. “This is love in action, because this is the essence of community and family.” The day included workshops, a documentary screening and panel discussions led by young advocates. Panelists spoke candidly about the stigma surrounding mental health in Black communities, particularly the pressure on young men to suppress emotions. They urged peers to seek connection rather than isolation.