Although suicide rates among some minority groups in this country had remained historically flat and lower than that of whites until the 1980's, their continued rise through the 1990's suggest that they could surpass the white rates in the near further. For example, among youth between the ages of 10 and 14, the rate for white suicides increased 120%, but the suicide rate for black youth in the same age category increased an alarming 233%. Although the rise has been significant enough to catch the attention of numerous researchers and outreach workers, much work remains if the problem is to be fully addressed.

It is imperative for everyone to take the responsibility of suicide prevention and intervention into their own hands and recognize that we can all help in someway. By this, I mean it is necessary to engage in dialogue and create a discourse on the subject of suicide so that we are not afraid to introduce suicide awareness to our institutions where our young adults are present - this means the schools, churches, community based organizations and others.

We have a national problem on our hands and our annual conferences are making an effort to address it head on.

Donna Holland Barnes