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."
-
A new chapter for young readers: UIndy hosts first-ever Community Literacy Day
The University of Indianapolis hosted its first-ever Community Literacy Day on Saturday, bringing together families, authors and educators to promote childhood literacy.
Local lawmakers and Hoosiers react to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran
Tensions ran high in Indianapolis Saturday as Hoosier protesters rallied downtown for what they called an anti-war demonstration.
2026 Hoosiers Vote Summit mobilizes Indiana voters ahead of midterm election
Civic leaders from across Indiana gathered Saturday morning for the 2026 Hoosiers Vote Summit, sharing strategies to empower voters and mobilize Hoosiers ahead of this year's midterm elections.
Black-owned, woman-led landscaping business creates local pathway to employment
Greene Thumb intentionally hires individuals facing barriers to employment — veterans, young people and folks with disabilities.
