Marquette University to host second annual Black Youth Suicide Prevention Summit, Sept. 27

Sept. 23, 2024

Shakita Grant-McClain

MILWAUKEE — Marquette University has partnered with Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee County and Prevent Suicide Greater Milwaukee to host the second annual Black Youth Suicide Prevention Summit on Friday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.

The Black Youth Suicide Prevention Summit aims to address the alarming rise in suicide rates among Black youth and to promote mental health awareness and support. Participants and community leaders will come together to explore the complexity of suicide and the mental health challenges faced by Black youth and young adults. Community resources will also be available to provide support.

Media interested in attending the summit or speaking with organizers should contact Kevin Conway at kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu in advance.

Shakita Grant-McClain, director of health and human services for Milwaukee County, will deliver a keynote address. The summit will also feature personal testimonies from individuals with lived experiences, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training for suicide prevention, and breakout sessions led by clinicians from the Marquette Counseling Center and members of BlackMindz, a student organization dedicated to mental health for students of color.

BlackMindz won first place at the 2024 Brewed Ideas Challenge as an organization helping students of color learn about mental health and ways to reduce stress and feelings of isolation by increasing knowledge, community and confidence.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.