In this HLN-TV interview, Donna Barnes, executive director of NOPCAS (National Organization of People of Color against Suicide), and William and Naomi Powell, who facilitate a support group for survivors of suicide loss, talk about suicide and grief in the black community.
The interview was broadcast in the wake of the suicide of Don Cornelius, who is characterized in a New York Times story as the person "who brought black music and culture into America’s living rooms when he created the dance show 'Soul Train.'”
HLN-TV reporter Richelle Carey says her hope is that this interview will help "break the silence and the shame that comes with such a tragedy," and points out that suicide is the third-leading cause of death among black men age 15-24. Barnes, whose son Marc died by suicide in 1990 (learn about the history of NOPCAS), addresses the culture of silence surrounding suicide
The interview was broadcast in the wake of the suicide of Don Cornelius, who is characterized in a New York Times story as the person "who brought black music and culture into America’s living rooms when he created the dance show 'Soul Train.'”
HLN-TV reporter Richelle Carey says her hope is that this interview will help "break the silence and the shame that comes with such a tragedy," and points out that suicide is the third-leading cause of death among black men age 15-24. Barnes, whose son Marc died by suicide in 1990 (learn about the history of NOPCAS), addresses the culture of silence surrounding suicide
in the black community, calling for better understanding of warning signs and more open discussion about suicide and its causes -- as well as about its tragic aftermath.
William and Naomi Powell, whose son William Jr. died by suicide in 2003, now facilitate the Circle of Love Survivors of Suicide Support Group in Landover, Md.
"Now that we have some strength ourselves, we have tried to put together something," says William,"to help other parents who have gone through a similar loss."
The most important thing coping with a suicide, says Naomi, is "first, you have to morn the loss."
"Don't hold back the tears ... I surrounded myself with the love of my family and my friends," she says, and Naomi encourages people to try "seeking out help like a support group where you can talk to others who have gone through the same thing."
And in a truly poignant moment for a reporter, at the end of the interview, Richelle shares that her family, too, has experienced the loss of a loved one -- her uncle -- to suicide.
William and Naomi Powell, whose son William Jr. died by suicide in 2003, now facilitate the Circle of Love Survivors of Suicide Support Group in Landover, Md.
"Now that we have some strength ourselves, we have tried to put together something," says William,"to help other parents who have gone through a similar loss."
The most important thing coping with a suicide, says Naomi, is "first, you have to morn the loss."
"Don't hold back the tears ... I surrounded myself with the love of my family and my friends," she says, and Naomi encourages people to try "seeking out help like a support group where you can talk to others who have gone through the same thing."
And in a truly poignant moment for a reporter, at the end of the interview, Richelle shares that her family, too, has experienced the loss of a loved one -- her uncle -- to suicide.
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