Image courtesy of Kevin’s Son
Wayne County-based nonprofit Kevin’s Song will host its 9th Annual Conference on Suicide from January 23-25, marking Michigan’s largest gathering focused on suicide prevention and survivor support. The event will unite educators, mental health professionals, students, business leaders, and survivors to address one of the state’s most urgent public health crises and work toward actionable solutions.
This year’s conference theme, “Creating and Supporting Lives Worth Living,” reflects the organization’s mission to explore strategies to prevent suicide and support those impacted by it. Keynote presentations and breakout sessions will address suicide prevention through multiple lenses, providing attendees with insights into mental health, cultural barriers, and survivor resilience.
Among this year’s distinguished speakers is Jennifer Johnson, who sits on the Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Michigan Chapter and also serves as the Chairperson for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), whose work focuses on addressing suicide within the Black community. Her advocacy stems from her personal experience with her godfather, who died by suicide in 1988, and a deep commitment to dismantling cultural taboos that hinder conversations about mental health.
“I’ll talk about the whole scope of suicide among Black and African American communities. I just want to speak about that in general, and touch on how that relates with the State of Michigan,” Johnson said.
“We’ll go into understanding how a lot of the basis of this, stems from racial and systemic, factors, and it impacts our community in ways in which it doesn’t impact other communities.”
The statistics emphasize the urgency of Johnnson’s mission. In 2022, suicide was the third leading cause of death among Black or African Americans aged 10 to 24. Additionally, Black males experienced a suicide rate more than four times higher than Black females in 2020. Despite these sobering figures, the overall suicide rate for Black Americans remains 50% lower than that of the non-Hispanic white population.
However, young Black females face their own challenges. In 2021, Black girls in grades 9–12 were 60% more likely to attempt suicide than their non-Hispanic white peers. Johnson’s work addresses these disparities by fostering culturally competent mental health resources and encouraging open dialogue in Black communities.
“That stigma we carry a lot of times is intergenerational trauma we’ve been carrying for years, even before we were born, and trying to work through some of what we have encountered over the years in our communities, can be a challenge,” Johnson said.
Kevin’s Song was established in 2013 by Gail and John Urso, compassionate residents of Grosse Pointe, who faced the devastating loss of their beloved son, Kevin, to suicide. In the years following this tragic event, the organization has evolved into a significant source of hope and support for countless individuals and families grappling with the effects of suicide.
Kevin’s Song aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and provide valuable resources to those in need. Its annual conference has become a prominent event, attracting leading experts, mental health professionals, and passionate advocates from Michigan and across the nation. This collaborative gathering serves as a vital platform to discuss and address the complexities surrounding suicide prevention, intervention, and bereavement support. Through workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities, Kevin’s Song fosters an environment where knowledge and experiences are shared, ultimately striving to reduce stigma and create a more supportive community for those impacted by suicide.
Kevin’s Song’s annual conference is a rallying point for Michigan residents and organizations to confront the suicide crisis together. From mental health professionals to survivors of suicide loss and attempt survivors, the event provides tools, resources, and hope to everyone involved.
The 2025 conference will provide a valuable opportunity for individuals to come together and exchange new ideas, all focused on making a meaningful impact in Michigan and beyond. This event will emphasize the importance of addressing the issue of suicide and will offer resources to support efforts in tackling this serious public health concern.
For more information about the conference, visit https://www.kevinssong.org.
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