OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY & AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION PARTNER TO FIGHT SUICIDE

Staff Writer

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) have joined forces in a two-year partnership to combat suicide and address mental health challenges. The collaboration was formally announced during the Dr. Moses C. Norman, Sr. Leadership Conference at Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, on July 13, 2023. The partnership comes at a critical time as suicide rates in the U S have been rising, with an 11% increase among Black males, making it the secondhighest increase by demographic and gender group

The suicide rates for Native Americans, Blacks, and Hispanics have also shown significant increases between 2018 and 2021 The collaboration aims to prioritize mental health and suicide prevention in Black communities both nationally and at the grassroots level through their collective chapters.

Ricky emphasized the importance of this alliance, stating that it addresses the unseen needs of their members and their families, especially in the Black community

The partnership with AFSP is expected to have a profound impact and save countless lives

AFSP's CEO Robert Gebbia expressed their honor in being a trusted partner with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Through this collaboration, they plan to deepen awareness andmake mental health support accessible and equitable, reaching Black communities through culturally relevant educational programming and AFSP's signature Out of the Darkness Walks.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, founded in 1911 at Howard University, focuses on community development, mentoring,