Developing suicide prevention programs for African American youth in African American churches.
Suicide prevention programs for African American youth in African American churches may have broad appeal because: (1) the Black Church has a strong history of helping community members, regardless of church membership; (2) African Americans have the highest level of public and private religiousness; and (3) the church can help shape religious and cultural norms about mental health and help-seeking. The proposed gatekeeper model trains lay helpers and clergy to recognize the risk and protective factors for depression and suicide, to make referrals to the appropriate community mental health resources, and to deliver a community education curriculum. Potential barriers and suggestions for how to overcome these barriers are discussed.
Molock
Sherry Davis
SD
George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA. smolock@gwu.edu
Matlin
Samantha
S
Barksdale
Crystal
C
Puri
Rupa
R
Lyles
Joseph
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004181:Directories as Topic; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005544:Forecasting; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000379:methods; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012067:Religion; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention