INDIANAPOLIS — More that 400 Black Hoosiers have died by suicide since 2018 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some Black faith leaders are now making mental health a priority in their community.
The Soul Shop Movement introduced suicide prevention strategies to a group of Black faith leaders on Tuesday. The group travels nationwide in support of mental health and came to Indiana in association with the Family and Social Services Administration.
Dr. Reginald Wells, a pastor from North Carolina, led the session.
"Some people have never said the word suicide," Wells said. "It is not something that should be shunned. It is something we need to really take a note of."
Wells told the pastors in the room about his own experience with suicide.
"My great-nephew died by suicide," Wells said. "That's when I knew this was my life's calling, to really engage in this work."
Indiana's Black suicide rate is rising based on the CDC's data. It reports 82 Black Hoosiers died by suicide in 2023, compared to 60 suicides in 2018.
"If churches can't do something about hope and social connections, then we have some real problems," said Soul Shop Movement executive director Michelle Snyder.
Snyder said the session not only educated pastors on suicide prevention strategies, but also inspired them to open up about their negative thoughts.
"There were pastors in the room today who have said at different points in their life and in their ministry they thought about suicide," Snyder said. "Pastors have lost people to suicide. Pastors are worried about family members who are at risk for suicide."
Wells hopes Indiana's pastors take what they learned to their congregations.
"It's having conversations around mental health and desperation that could lead to suicide," Wells said. "People are suffering. People have desperation. We want the church to embrace that."
-
Indiana State Fair announces new attractions, exhibits for 2026
The 2026 Indiana State Fair will feature a lineup of new attractions, exhibits, and entertainment when it opens Aug. 7, according to fair officials.
Indiana ends race, sex-based contracting, ruling them ‘unconstitutional’
Rokita said in an announcement early Wednesday that key components of the state’s Diversity Business Enterprises program violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
High heat continues in central Indiana, rain to come later this week
Calm and sunny weather continues across Central Indiana this week but the high heat has returned and will remain for the rest of the week.
Caitlin Clark (back) probable for Wednesday's game against the Valkyries
Fever star Caitlin Clark (back) is listed as probable for the team's game against the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday. She is the only Fever player listed on the injury report.
