Radio One Indianapolis’ stations for the second year will join the conversation that surrounds the seriousness of suicide prevention and mental health on Thursday, September 10, 2020 from 10am until 12noon on all of its properties.
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Radio One in cooperation with Mental Health America – Indiana, The Indiana Suicide Prevention Network, “Alone Is A Lite” Mental Health Resource Network, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, New Direction Church, Eskenazi Health, IUPUI School Of Nursing, and Brooke’s Place, all stations will play NO music and open the microphones to entirely focus on the seriousness and the increase to crisis levels of suicides among Black and Hispanic teens in the community.
Radio One Regional Vice President, Deon Levingston stated, “Because of the Covid-19 Pandemic this year, 2020 has been very stressful. Americans are having more mental health concerns and issues at record levels because of isolation and uncertainty. The Indianapolis Urban One stations look forward to partnering with the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network to serve our communities and continue the discussions on alternative options to reduce the growing suicide rates in our community.”
Facts from the American Association of Suicide Prevention
- Female students attempted almost twice as often as male students (9.3% vs. 5.1%).
- Black students reported the highest rate of attempt (9.8%) with white students at 6.1 percent.
- In 2018, adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 had a suicide rate of 14.45.
- SUICIDE IS A NATIONAL HEALTH PROBLEM THAT CURRENTLY RANKS AS THE 10th LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH.
- In 2018 approximately 48,344 American died by suicide (2nd leading cause for ages 10-34 and 4th Leading cause of death for ages 35-54).
- Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have shown clear warning signs.
- RECENTLY PUBLISHED STUDIES SHOW BLACK TEENAGE MALE SUICIDE RATES INCREASED 60% FROM 2001-2017.
- Firearms accounted for slightly more than half (50.54%) of all suicide deaths.
This won’t be a one day event. Radio One Indianapolis has committed along with their partners, individuals and organizations will be laser focused on bringing attention to this growing problem of suicide and while advocating for the prevention of this terrible tragedy.