Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk

302 Pleasant Ave,New York NY 10029

12 September, 2021

Description

September is the Suicide Prevention Month. We are walking to strongly send the message that suicide is preventable, and that no one is alone September is the Suicide Prevention Month. We are walking from E 116th St and Pleasant Ave to W 116th St and Morningside Ave to strongly send the message that suicide is preventable, and that no one is alone. Veterans account for 11.5% of New York State Suicide. Middle-aged men are one of the highest risk groups in New York State and nationally. The suicide rate among men 50-59 is approximately 21 per 100,000 population in New York, almost three times the state average. The rate jumps to approximately 26 per 100,000 population among White middle-aged men. The suicide rate among New Yorkers 75 and older is 8.6 per 100,000 population; it is 19.5 per 100,000 population among men in this age group. The highest risk age group in New York State and nationally is men 85 and older, at 24 per 100,000 population Though suicide is rare among elementary-age children (ages 5-11), black children in this age group are thought to die by suicide at twice the rate of white children. 10, 11 Among high school students nationwide, while self-reported thoughts of suicide and attempts decreased between 1991 and 2017, significant increases were found on those measures among black students. Moreover, New York State data revealed increases in self-reported feelings of sadness and hopelessness and suicide attempts among black high school students between 2013 and 2017.9 These findings underscore the need for further research on specific risk and protective factors for black youth. According to the 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 59.2% of New York State LGB high school students felt sad or hopeless, 40.8% seriously considered suicide, 25.8% attempted suicide, and 10.1% made a suicide attempt that required medical attention in the 12 months prior to the survey. These self-reported numbers are statistically significantly greater than those reported by their heterosexual peers. New York City LGB youth who have experienced rejection by their families are 8.4 times more likely to have attempted suicide than those with no or low levels of rejection.13 One in three transgender youth in New York City have seriously considered suicide, and two in five report having attempted suicide in the past 12 months. Suicide is a leading cause of death within jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities. Between 2000 and 2012, the average suicide rate was 41 per 100,000 population for adult inmates in jails. The rate increased to 80 per 100,000 for White inmates and 86 per 100,000 for inmates not yet convicted. Youth who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, even those with “light touches” who remain in the community, are at increased risk for suicide. Screening and early interventions for suicide risk and upstream risk factors such as depression and alcohol and other drug misuse, as well as diversion to behavioral health settings delivering suicide safer care, are critical for this population. The risk becomes much more severe once incarcerated. Among incarcerated youth age 17 and younger, the rate of death by suicide was 49 per 100,000. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among postpartum women, accounting for one in five postpartum deaths. Nationally, one in nine women experience postpartum depression.16 Fathers may also experience depression following the birth of their child. Approximately 4% experience it within the first year after their child’s birth, and 20% will have experienced at least one episode by a child’s 12th birthday. Younger fathers with a history of depression who have financial difficulties are at greatest risk I'm walking in honor of my daughter Zoenika Marie and I hope you join me as well. Sponsors Tamika Mapp, State Committeewoman 68 AD Sheba Simpson-Amsterdam, Community Activist William Smith, District Leader for Part D