Marquette University, in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee County and Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee, will host the second annual Black Youth Suicide Prevention Summit on Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave, in Milwaukee.
The Black Youth Suicide Prevention Summit aims to “address the alarming rise in suicide rates among Black youth and to promote mental health awareness and support.” Participants and community leaders will come together to explore the complexity of suicide and the mental health challenges faced by Black youth and young adults. Community resources will also be available to provide support.
Shakita Grant-McClain, director of health and human services for Milwaukee County, will deliver a keynote address at the event, according to a press release from Marquette University, and the summit will also feature personal testimonies from individuals with lived experiences, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training for suicide prevention, and breakout sessions led by clinicians from the Marquette Counseling Center and members of BlackMindz, a student organization dedicated to mental health for students of color.
BlackMindz won first place at the 2024 Brewed Ideas Challenge as an organization helping students of color learn about mental health and ways to reduce stress and feelings of isolation by increasing knowledge, community and confidence.
