RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announces the NC Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan amid a sharp increase in suicide rates among Black youth.

The NC Black Youth Suicide Prevention Action Plan is an effort to shed light on marginalized communities where mental health challenges persist. The plan outlines initiatives that can be implemented over the next five years to reduce the number of suicides among Black youth and young adults.

“A community-led, ground-up approach is essential to address the increase in suicide rates among Black youth and young adults,” said Kelly Crosbie MSW, LCSW, NCDHHS Director of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services.

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According to a news release from NCDHHS, a review of data from 2023 showed that Black populations are over-represented in emergency visits for suicidal thoughts or self-injury.

NCDHHS says the data also shows that Black youth from the ages of 10 to 24 are over-represented in suicides and attempts, but are under-represented in calls to 988.

“NCDHHS wants to ensure everyone has the support they need before, during, and after a personal crisis, especially groups that are disproportionately affected,” Crosbie said in the news release.

NCDHSS’s action plan was developed in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the UNC Suicide Prevention Institute, and several community-based organizations. The plan also includes feedback from members of the public.

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According to NCDHHS, the plan identifies six objectives that include a series of goals and guide policy-making decisions to improve the health and well-being of Black youth and young adults.

The following are the six objectives:

• Establish the Community of Practice and Education (COPE) initiative to lead, develop, and champion suicide prevention efforts at the community level, targeting Black youth and young adults in North Carolina.
• Strengthen supportive mental health services for Black youth, incorporating both peer support specialists and peer-to-peer support systems.
• Enhance awareness and training for suicide prevention, specifically for Black youth.
• Reduce access to lethal means among Black youth.
• Strengthen protective factors for Black youth to support mental well-being.
• Establish a comprehensive understanding of the suicide prevention needs of Black youth through data analysis and reporting to inform targeted interventions and increase awareness.

NCDHHS says the plan also includes many culturally relevant strategies to address the issue. These strategies include expanded training efforts among trusted community partners and specific attention to key programs such as Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.