The following opportunity has been shared on behalf of a member or affiliate of the Austin Area African American Behavioral Health Network (4ABHN).
We’re almost there, the time for the 9th National Suicide and the Black Church Conference, June 12-13, 2019. We hope you have already registered yourself, congregants, co-workers, staff, friends and family.
Since 2003, bi-annually we have gathered to be empowered by gathering information and acquiring tools to save lives. This year we will address a new and unique challenge facing the Black Community. The Washington Post reports that African American children between the ages of 5-12 are taking their lives at roughly twice the rate of their white counterparts. Additionally, Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death for older children and adolescents in the United States.
We welcome professionals from across the city, state and country to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 800 Madison Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee (In Mid-Town) who are ready to tackle the dilemma we face. Our guest(s) will address a myriad of subjects: depression (seniors, adults, and children), trauma (ACEs), bullying, domestic violence, manifestation of depression in veterans, addiction, the prescription drug epidemic, the rise of depression among clergy, what to say and not to say when there is a loss and other topics. This is the only Conference in the country that forges a partnership with the faith community, institutions of learning and mental health professionals to address the spiritual, physical, emotional, behavioral and mental health concerns in our communities. The cadre of professionals will leave attendees enlightened, encouraged and empowered.
The theme for this year’s Conference is “STOP—LOOK—LISTEN … LIVE!” This year, notice time change, our schedule will be June 12, 2019, 8:45AM-Noon. That afternoon, for our out of town guest(s), we will host a tour: THIS IS MEMPHIS: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE. We are more than grateful that for the first time, the Governor of the State of Tennessee, the Honorable Bill Lee, will speak at the Conference opening. On June 13, 2019, the plenary, workshops and luncheon will be held from 9:00AM-4:00PM. Our special guest and Keynote Speaker for this year’s Conference Luncheon will be Angela Robinson, BKA Veronica Harrington from Tyler Perry’s “The Have and Have Nots.” Suicide is a preventable, public health problem; but as a community we must address it. This Conference will serve as one of the tools that will help save lives and prevent occurrences of suicide.
If you, your staff, congregants, family or friends have not registered, please do it now by completing the attached form and returning it by email (yhealer@aol.com), go to The Healing Center’s website (thcsuicideconference@gmail.com), you can fax it to 901-370-5717 or simply mail the registration form TODAY. If you, your church, agency, business or group would like to attend, PLEASE make reservations as soon as possible; we want to get badges, certificates and bags prepared. Also, please contact us by May 10th to place an ad in the booklet and there may be booth space left for agencies; we welcome your partnership and sponsorship of this Conference.
For more information, please call (901) 370-4673. FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR CONTACTS & encourage them to REGISTER TODAY. Thanks for your support of this important Conference.