North Carolina

Death of NC civil rights leader highlights need for suicide prevention tailored to helping Black men

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2023

Death of NC civil rights leader highlights need for suicide prevention tailored to helping Black men

A civil rights advocate and former president of the North Carolina department of the NAACP died by suicide in his Greensboro dwelling final summer season, in accordance with an post-mortem report launched Tuesday.

NAACP President, Rev T. Anthony Spearman’s ardour and fierce persona had been the muse of his battle for justice.

Chances are you’ll recall his journey for justice, which performed out in entrance of the manager mansion for weeks demanding Gov. Roy Cooper grant a full pardon to Dontae Sharpe.

Spearman’s lengthy legacy provides to the shock of his demise for some, however consultants say psychological well being can and does have an effect on folks in all walks of life.

“When you do not really feel like you’ve gotten an outlet or a useful resource that will help you transfer by means of the troublesome instances. Typically folks can really feel like there isn’t any different means out, however simply to attempt to depart eradicating themselves from the scenario by doing one thing as drastic as committing suicide,” defined Dr. Anthony Smith, a licensed psychologist at Alase Middle for Enrichment in Durham.

Smith stated psychological well being remains to be a topic thought of taboo within the Black group however it’s time for the Black group to begin speaking, particularly males and the numbers present why. Between 2011 and 2020, the suicide price amongst Black males was 3 times that of Black girls.

The numbers paint an much more drastic image for younger Black males between the ages of 10 and 19 years previous. Throughout the identical timeframe, the suicide price for Black males between 10-19 years of age elevated by 60%.

“We’re taught as males to be powerful, to suck it up, to by no means allow them to see you cry. Proper? That is, these are the markers (of) being a powerful man. And it actually creates a false dichotomy in that is actually not energy, as a result of the ache, the stress, the frustration, the despair, you are simply holding it in,” Smith stated.

Smith went on to say that there are a number of reasons–from social media to stigma–contributing to why we’re seeing suicide charges improve in Black males.

“We’re nonetheless popping out of COVID. We’re nonetheless coping with racial trauma on this nation. We’re nonetheless coping with financial instability. There are a number of issues which can be simply common dwelling and life challenges that all of us have as people dwelling on this planet. So, it is vital to only be vigilant in our consciousness of how persons are, they’re exhibiting indicators of despair,” he defined.

Smith additionally shared there is a lack of illustration within the psychological well being area, which might stop some Black males from getting care. In accordance with the American Psychiatric Affiliation, 2% of practising psychiatrists and 4% of psychologists within the U.S. are Black.

“I get folks coming in who’re in search of out some somebody particularly like me, however there aren’t lots of me to go round. And likewise, it is a price issue as nicely. And so we actually have to have extra reasonably priced retailers for folks to have the ability to go in and speak to psychological well being practitioners, who might help them from a perspective of understanding the place they’re,” stated Smith.

In case you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or different psychological well being crises please name or textual content the brand new three-digit code at 988. You’ll attain a skilled disaster counselor without cost, 24 hours a day, seven days every week. You can even go to 988lifeline.org.

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North Carolina

School closings, delays in Western North Carolina, Friday, Nov. 22

Published

6 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

School closings, delays in Western North Carolina, Friday, Nov. 22

Some school systems in Western North Carolina are closed Friday, Nov. 21, due to winter weather.

Avery County Schools: Closed, remote learning day.
Graham County Schools: Closed, workday for staff.
Madison County Schools: Closed, optional teacher workday.
Mitchell County Schools: Closed, remote learning day.
Watauga County Schools: Two-hour delay.
Yancey County Schools: Closed, remote learning day.

This story will be updated

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North Carolina

North Carolina has some of the highest STD rates nationwide, report says

Published

15 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina has some of the highest STD rates nationwide, report says

NORTH CAROLINA (WBTV) – North Carolina has some of the highest STD rates nationwide, according to a new study by the U.S. News & World Report.

The report analyzed the highest combined rates of three major sexually transmitted infections: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis.

As far as the 10 states with the highest STD rates, N.C. ranked No. 7.

The data

According to the report, the state’s total STD rate is 911.5 per 100,000. That has actually decreased by -0.3% since 2022.

Rates for the three major STDs are:

Chlamydia: 607.9 per 100,000
Gonorrhea: 243.2 per 100,000
Syphilis (cumulative): 60.4 per 100,000

South Carolina

South Carolina also has some of the highest STD rates in America, according to the report.

Ranked at No. 8 for the 10 states with the highest STD rates, the state’s total STD rate is 882.8 per 100,000. That has decreased by 10.9% since 2022.

Rates for the three major STDs are:

Chlamydia: 612.1 per 100,000
Gonorrhea: 222.4 per 100,000
Syphilis (cumulative): 48.3 per 100,000

WBTV Investigates: Syphilis Tsunami: NC health officials plan campaign to slow the spread

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North Carolina

North Carolina business owner crafts a new path after Helene

Published

23 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina business owner crafts a new path after Helene

YANCEY CO, N.C. — A small business owner in Yancey County is trying to bounce back during her busiest season after losing her shop and inventory during Helene.

What You Need To Know

Christy Edwards lost her shop and inventory during Helene

The owner of Christy’s Crafts is trying to bounce back, preparing for three upcoming holiday markets

The Vintage Market of Asheville Metro takes place from Nov. 22-24 and part of the proceeds benefit the River Arts District in Asheville

Edwards is hosting two Christmas craft shows in Burnsville

Christy Edwards is the owner of Christy’s Crafts and had a shop for 17 years across the Cane River in the Pensacola community. It held all her inventory and great memories.

“I talked to my customers on the front porch a lot. Waved at a lot of friends and neighbors, and I’m going to miss it terribly,” Edwards said.

The retired art teacher recalls the day of the storm, seeing the floodwaters surround the building before wiping it out in the blink of an eye.

“I turned and I looked, and my shop was gone. I didn’t see it because we had water in the basement,” Edwards said.

The shop, which was on her property, was on lower ground than her house.

“The river came across over here. That little creek was flowing out all of this gravel so it was like a churning mess,” Edwards said.

Now, only a meter box stands where the building used to be.

“It’s like losing a piece of my heart. This is what I did every day of my life, come here and meet people and create,” Edwards said.

She said she lost $100,000 altogether and the location where she hosted her Christmas Open House.

“This was helping me pay for my daughter’s college. This was helping me just to live. Things are so much more expensive now,” Edwards said.

Mid-November she was working around the clock to make up for lost inventory as she prepared for three holiday markets, including Vintage Market Days of Asheville Metro.

The event, which will take place Nov. 22-24 is expected to bring 130 vendors to the WNC Agricultural Center. Organizers say half of them are from the region and part of the proceeds will benefit the River Arts District in Asheville.

Edwards is also moving forward with hosting two Christmas craft shows with local vendors at the Burnsville Town Center. The Holly Jolly Market will be on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Then, on Dec. 7, she will host the Christmas Ornament Craft Show.

“It’s very important to have this and to keep things going, being normal again,” Edwards said.

She’s not sure if she’ll rebuild her shop again because she worries she could lose it again.

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