Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The Hilltop

CAMPUS

Question, Persuade and Refer: The Women of NCNW Host Suicide Prevention Training

By: Corinne Dorsey, Campus Reporter

The Howard University chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)  conducted a suicide prevention training: “Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR)”, a session hosted by mental health specialist, Fonda Bryant on Saturday, September 19th.

The QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention was an educational program designed to teach “gatekeepers” the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. “QPR is not intended for us to do counseling or treatment. But what QPR is intended to do is offer hope of action,” Bryant emphasized. 

“During the time of COVID-19 and civil unrest, it is imperative that we take a closer look at mental health, especially in the Black community. As an organization who mission is to  lead, advocate for, and empower women of African Descent, their families, and communities, NCNW takes great pride in pushing suicide prevention,” said senior Kaylah Clark, a former President of the NCNW Howard Section.

In 1995, Bryant was diagnosed with depression and struggled with suicidal ideations. Through her struggles, she became passionate about suicide prevention and mental health awareness, even more so after joining the National Alliance on Mental Illness in 2014. 

Since joining, she has been at the forefront of a movement to confront depression and suicide and alleviate the stigma associated with mental health issues. Bryant has now been a mental health advocate for 21 years and hosts many events surrounding suicide prevention. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryant has hosted free weekly interactive video calls which have impacted over 700 people across 23 states and five countries. 

Bryant talked to The Hilltop about why HBCU’s specifically must have consistent dialogue surrounding mental health issues and suicide prevention. “I think it’s so important because the younger we educate people of color, the more we can break down the laws of stigma. And the more lives that we can save, because every four and a half hours, someone dies in our culture to suicide,” Bryant said. 

Bryant also emphasized the statistics unveiled by The Black Political Caucus and Congressman Bonnie Watson Coleman. From 2001 to 2017, for black males between the ages of 13 to 19, suicide was up 60%. For black females of the same ages during the same time period, suicide was up 182%. “We got to do better. We got to, we got to normalize mental health conversation,” Bryant urged. 

“Workshops like this are especially important for black communities and communities of color. There’s always been a stigma around mental health as a weakness, because we are such strong people. But that is not the case. This training was great because it equipped me with knowledge that I can share with others and resources for those that may be struggling with their mental health,” junior Ruby Avery, who currently serves as the co-chaplain for NCNW HU,said.

Based on the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., but it is ranked second among college-aged students. 

“We are facing a national mental health crisis, and college campuses are reflecting what’s going on in society at large,” said Dr. Victor Schwartz, chief medical officer of the Jed Foundation in an ABC News Interview.

The event hosted by Bryant offered insight on critical indicators of suicide, preventative measures related to suicide, and how to pick up on social cues associated with suicide effectively. “Suicide prevention is everybody’s business. And anyone can help prevent the tragedy of suicide,” Bryant highlighted. 

“It is important to begin asking “What happened to you?”, rather than “What is wrong with you?”. It’s important to look through the eyes of mental health”, Bryant told The Hilltop.

NCNW’s mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower African descent women, their families, and communities. “It is an honor to raise suicide awareness and possibly save the life of someone else,” Clark told the Hilltop. This event effectively offered tools and resources for addressing mental health issues and suicide prevention to the Howard Community especially through such a vital time for support.

Advertisement

You May Also Like

NEWS

Attorneys general filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of non-citizen parents, arguing that it’s “unconstitutional.”

Variety

The horror film “Companion” performed steadily at the box office while opening up a conversation about the developing relationship of technology and humanity in...

SPORTS

The “Battle of the Real H.U.” rivalry has Bison divided on its significance following a one-point loss in overtime to the Hampton University’s men...

CAMPUS

A soon-to-be Howard Law professor was among the 67 victims of last week’s plane crash, of which EMS Chief John Donnelly confirmed no survivors...

NEWS

Some teachers warn that cuts to the Department of Education funding could worsen existing challenges in resource-strapped classrooms, potentially increasing educational disparities for D.C.’s...

NEWS

The Trump Administration’s Jan. 20 executive order calls for an end to antisemitism, threatening to cancel student visas and deport pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Variety

Manuel Oliver transforms his loss into activism, using art, storytelling and emotion to honor his son and challenge America’s gun violence epidemic.

Columns

Trump’s administration’s use of “flooding the zone” to overwhelm the public with rapid policy changes creates confusion and fatigue. How can we resist fear...

CAMPUS

Bestselling author and historian Ibram X. Kendi will leave his role at Boston University to oversee a new research center at Howard.

NEWS

President Donald Trump’s Administration temporarily halted its directive to freeze federal funding but later indicated the freeze will remain in effect. The initial order...

Variety

The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s third annual Day of Action shined a light on the work of Fred Gray and his legacy of transformative...

SPORTS

With the Super Bowl quickly approaching, The Hilltop’s sports staff gave their predictions on who will win in football's biggest showdown.

INVESTIGATIVE

In the first three weeks of the spring semester, four crimes were reported near Howard’s campus including a shooting and multiple armed robberies.

Variety

Howard alumna and Empify CEO Ashley M. Fox has garnered notable attention for her investment in financial education inside marginalized communities.

Columns

In a world oversaturated with advertisements, constant exposure shapes consumer preferences and fuels decision fatigue. How does advertising influence us, and how can we...