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Five years ago, a report from the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health sounded the alarm about rising rates of suicide and mental health challenges facing Black children and teenagers. During Minority Mental Health Month, NYU Silver School of Social Work gathered scholars, community members, and policy experts at NYU Washington, DC, to discuss the progress made and obstacles that remain to improve mental health outcomes for Black young people.

Today's special guest, Rafiah Maxie-Cole, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, mother, suicide loss survivor, and founder/director of the suicide prevention organization, Soul Survivors of Chicago (www.soulsurvivorsofchicago.com). On May 27, 2020, Rafiah's 19-year-old son, Jamal, died by suicide. Jamal was a bright, sensitive, caring, and talented young man. He first attempted suicide when he was 12 years old. He was the victim of bullying. Rafiah speaks from the heart, authentically and passionately to help save lives from suicide and to offer comfort and understanding to those grieving their loved ones who died by suicide. Soul Survivors of Chicago's mission is to "provide suicide awareness and education to our BIPOC and underserved community to enhance the importance of Mental Health, advocate for suicide prevention and provide much needed emergency crisis funds to individuals impacted by suicide, trauma or loss." Rafiah urges us to join together to help prevent suicide. Here's the documentary, "When the Children Fade" done by producer Rafiah Maxie-Cole ~ https://youtu.be/uOuN2prgPZw?si=qoVlMurUVwYtJ9QG and "Makes Me Wanna Holler: Healing from Loss, Learning from Tragedy & Finding Recovery" ~ https://youtu.be/gxvzrHq_-ng. The hosts of Talking Back 2 Suicide are Diane Kaufman, MD, a poet, artist, retired child psychiatrist, and founder/director of the Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention and Kino Isaac, a DJ, music producer & entrepreneur, and mental health advocate for the well-being of independent artists. Kino lives in South Africa and Dr. Kaufman lives in the United States. If you are having suicidal thoughts and are in the USA, please call 988. Please see the International Association for Suicide Prevention for resources in your country. https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/. Learn more about the Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention: www.holdoncampaign.org. #suicideloss #988 #preventsuicide #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #stopthestigma

Soul Survivors Of Chicago interview with WGN news television Chicago to discuss and promote mental health awareness and launch of “walk and purpose project” Thank you for all your support

Watch the recap for the first annual "Walk In Purpose" event, presented by Soul Survivors of Chicago (SSOC). SSOC's mission is to provide suicide prevention, awareness, and education to our BIPOC and underserved communities. Our mission is unique. We seek to enhance the importance of Mental Health, advocate for suicide prevention and provide much-needed emergency crisis funds to individuals impacted by suicide, trauma, or loss. Soul Survivors of Chicago works to mitigate suicide risks through training, innovative projects, workshops, public speaking, and our grief support group. Our work is epic. Our mission is unique. Our passion is focused. Learn More at: www.soulsurvivorsofchicago.com/ Directed by Urban Matrix Creative Solutions, LLC Produced by Roc Star Studio | rocstarstudio.com Edited by EternalEdit.com

Jordan is joined by Rafiah Maxie-Cole, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mother, to share her personal journey of healing following the loss of her son, Jamal. During a moment of reflection in Jamal’s room, Rafiah noticed a pair of her son's sneakers and became inspired to support other families in crisis. Rafiah founded the Soul Survivors of Chicago, a non-profit organization committed to suicide prevention within the African-American community. Follow Rafiah: https://www.instagram.com/soulsurvivorschi/ (Don't worry, T-Kea will be returning soon!) Spotlight Gary Taylor, a husband and father from Kentucky, died by suicide on January 5, 2023 at the age of 42. Resource Sole Survivors of Chicago is a non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health and wellness in the African-American community. Sole Survivors offers community outreach on mental health and suicide prevention, virtual support groups for individuals impacted by suicide, shoe donations through the “Walk In Purpose” project, and much more. Check out the organization: https://www.soulsurvivorsofchicago.com/ Additional Resources Soul Survivors of Chicago on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/soul-survivors-of-chicago-33944849209 "We Are ONE" Support Group (held virtually every 1st and 3rd Wednesday from 6-7PM CST): https://www.soulsurvivorsofchicago.com (Scroll to the bottom of the webpage for the Zoom link) Documentary - Makes Me Wanna Holler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxvzrHq_-ng&t=2s Documentary Trailer - While the Children Fade: https://www.whilethechildrenfade.com Community Changemaker Arron Muller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), therapist, speaker, mental health influencer and founder and owner of Modify Wellness, Inc. Arron founded Modify Wellness to help normalize mental health and wellness within the Black community - providing affordable resources, education, and support services. Follow Arron: https://www.instagram.com/theblack_therapist/?hl=en Follow Modify Wellness: https://www.modifywellness.org/ Upcoming Events! Black & Suicidal Peer Support Group Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024 Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Location: Zoom Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/december-black-suicidal-peer-support-group-tickets-1100154344259?aff=oddtdtcreator Moment of Inspiration: We encourage all our listeners and viewers to check in with a male family member or friend. Please share this episode with them and let them know that they are loved and supported. Donate Your support helps us to fulfill our mission of preventing suicide in the Black community. To donate, visit https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FQZGPR7S9CJUN. Shop Get your merch and support the show: https://bpdbst.printify.me/products Connect with Us! Follow BPDBST on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo/ Follow BPDBST on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackpeoplediebysuicide2?_t=8cjqDTiqHbq&_r=1%20 Subscribe to BPDBST on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCmAGUHyoFOMm1PCMhpOmxdw Follow BPDBST on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Black-People-Die-By-Suicide-Too/61560460779550/?mibextid=LQQJ4d&rdid=jvcgBiY8XmAwO8dF&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2FJF121Q8EnUFpYbqJ%2F%3Fmibextid%3DLQQJ4d Follow BPDBST on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-people-die-by-suicide-too Follow T-Kea on IG: https://www.instagram.com/t_keablackman/ Follow T-Kea on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@t_keablackman?_t=8bmrLfPUQV4&_r=1 Follow Jordan on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thelatebluumer/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D Disclaimer: Information on our platforms about individuals lost to suicide is sourced from loved ones, social media, and news. While we strive for accuracy and sensitivity, the data may be incomplete. If you wish to add or correct information, please email info@blackpeoplediebysuicidetoo.org. We respect families' wishes and address concerns promptly. Thank you for understanding. Sending love and light!