Faith-Based Suicide Prevention in the Black Community Summit

Presented by:

The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF)

In Partnership With:

Black Youth & Young Adult Suicide Prevention Community of Practice (BYYASP CoP) & Life Is Better with You Here! (LIBWYH)

About this summit:

Faith-based communities are pillars of the Black community, offering spiritual guidance, social support, and trusted refuge. This summit recognizes the urgent need to address the rising mental health and suicide prevention challenges in this community, particularly among Black youth and young adults.

By integrating faith-based approaches with evidence-informed strategies, this summit aims to:

• Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health within faith communities
• Empower faith leaders to create safe spaces and connect individuals to resources
• Address systematic inequities affecting mental health and suicidality

This summit is a call to action for clergy, mental health professionals, educators, youth leaders, community members, and advocates to unite in fostering pathways to hope, healing, resilience, and lasting transformation.

Opening & Welcome

Moderator: Rhyanne McDade, Ph.D.

8:30 - 9:00 – Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 - 9:15 – Welcome & Opening Remarks

Tony Coder, Executive Director, Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

Black Youth & Young Adult Suicide Prevention Community of Practice (BYYASP CoP) Co-Chairs:

Tracee Garrett, President and CEO, Global Insight Productions

Josephine Ridley, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, OSPF Consultant

Morning Meditation

9:15 - 9:45 – Quieting Minds, Awakening Hearts: An Interfaith Reflection for Renewal

Experience a moment of collective reflection through meditative practices, including spoken word and artistic expression through dance. This session will ground attendees in purpose, unity, and compassion for the day ahead.

Features: Micah Morgan, LPC, Suicide Prevention Specialist, Ciera Hill, and Tristen Davis

Keynote & Morning Session

9:50 - 10:30 – Opening Address: From Awareness to Action – The Role of Faith Leaders in Suicide Prevention

This dynamic keynote will explore the intersection of faith and mental health, addressing the urgent need for proactive suicide prevention. Participants will gain insight into the statistics surrounding mental health and suicide, as well as strategies to reduce stigma and cultivate safe, faith-centered environments for healing and connection.

Speaker: Beverly J. Vandiver, Ph.D., Professor of Human Development and Family Science

10:30 - 10:45 – Break

11:00 - 11:45 – Restoring the Shepherd: Fortifying the Soul of Spiritual Leaders

Spiritual leaders pour into others daily, but who pours into them? This session equips faith leaders and mental health advocates with practical strategies to nurture their own well-being while serving their communities. We will explore the power of emotional rest, mindfulness, setting healthy boundaries, prioritizing personal spiritual practices, seeking peer support, and maintaining self-care. By embracing these strategies, leaders can prevent burnout, cultivate resilience, and serve with renewed strength—ensuring they lead from a place of abundance rather than depletion.

Speaker: Pastor Howard T. Washington, D.Min., Second Baptist Church

Midday & Networking – Resource Vendors

11:45 - 12:30 – Lunch & Networking

Table Fellowship and Shared Wisdom – Breaking Bread for a Stronger Community
Over a shared meal, participants will engage in guided conversations and icebreaker activities designed to foster collaboration, shared experiences, and new partnerships in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.

Pathways to Partnership: A Resource & Wellness Marketplace
Attendees can explore vendor tables featuring mental health organizations, local nonprofits, and service providers committed to supporting faith-based mental health initiatives.

Afternoon Empowerment Sessions

12:35 - 2:50 – Equipping the Called: Faith-Based Tools for Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Participants will choose from one of four specialized training options outlined below to deepen their capacity to provide mental health support. Each training offers practical resources and spiritually informed techniques to help leaders respond to individuals in crisis.

• Soul Shop™: Suicide Prevention for Black Faith Communities
  This workshop equips clergy, lay leaders, and faith-based clinicians in the Black church to address the rising suicide rates in Black communities. Using scripture and biblical principles, this training provides faith-centered solutions to address suicide prevention and mental wellness.
  Trainer: Lauren Jenkins, LCPC, Co-Director, Soul Shop™ Black Churches
  
• QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) for Faith Leaders
  This evidence-based training provides an accessible approach to suicide prevention within faith communities, integrating values of compassion, active listening, and hope.
  Trainer: Chardé Hollins, Founder & Owner, Relevant Connections, LLC
  
• Let’s Talk! Stopping Black Youth & Young Adult Suicide
  This interactive workshop equips Black churches and communities with knowledge and tools to recognize warning signs of suicide and how to intervene effectively. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black communities, this session fosters open conversations on mental health, despair, and hope.
  Trainer: Josephine Ridley, Ph.D., Ohio Psychological Association, OSPF Consultant
  
• Faith-Based Mental Health: Pathways to Support Interfaith Communities
  This session, presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), explores how faith leaders can integrate mental health education, advocacy, and resources within their congregations. Participants will discuss the historical role of Black churches and interfaith communities in addressing mental health crises.
  Trainers:
  Dawn Brown, Director, NAMI National, Cross-Cultural Innovation & Engagement
  Pastor Cynthia McKnight, NAMI National FaithNet Manager

2:50 - 3:00 – Break

Interactive Panel Discussion

3:00 - 4:00 – Voices of Experience: Best Practices in Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Leadership Across Ohio
A dynamic panel of clergy, mental health advocates, and university and community leaders will share real-world strategies and solutions for reducing stigma, fostering belonging, and building sustainable mental health support systems within faith communities.
Panelists:
Pastor Jeffrey A. Dennis, D.Min., Mount Calvary Baptist Church (Akron, OH)
Rejeana Haynes, Chief Clinical Officer, St. Vincent Family Services (Columbus, OH)
Kamaria Tyehimba, Ph.D., Vice President, Talbert House (Cincinnati, OH)
Sonia A. Hunt, Ph.D., Professor, Central State University (Wilberforce, OH)

Keynote & Closing Session

4:00 - 4:30 – Closing Address: Moving Forward in Faith – Sustaining Hope & Healing for the Future
This closing session will provide a roadmap for faith leaders to build enduring partnerships with mental health organizations. Attendees will learn how to access resources, implement ongoing training, and foster a sustained culture of mental health awareness and support in their faith communities.
Speaker: Josephine Ridley, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, OSPF Consultant

• Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 · 8:30am - 4:30pm EDT
• Location: Embassy Suites Columbus – Airport
• Registration Fee: $35 (Free for OSPF & BYYASP CoP)
• Event Overview & Format: Full-day summit featuring speakers, trainings, and panel discussions.
• CEUs will not be provided for this event.