Between Resilience and Silence: Black Emerging Adults' Narratives of Suicidal Ideation  

Wednesday, September 16, 2026
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Zoom Webinar

Registration Fee: $25

OVERVIEW:  Suicide rates among Black emerging adults continue to rise, yet limited research has examined how structural racism shapes experiences of suicidal ideation and help-seeking within this population. Drawing on qualitative life-history interviews with Black emerging adults (ages 18–25) in Kansas City, Missouri, this session explores how participants understand, interpret, and navigate suicidal thoughts within the context of their lived experiences. Findings illuminate the role of racialized cultural narratives, intergenerational experiences, stigma, emotional safety, and access to culturally affirming support in shaping disclosure and help-seeking behaviors. Attendees will gain insight into the socio-structural conditions that contribute to psychological distress and learn how qualitative evidence can inform culturally responsive, racially equitable suicide-prevention and mental health promotion efforts.

OBJECTIVES: After attending this Zoom webinar, the participant will be able to:

• Describe how structural racism, community contexts, and intergenerational experiences influence Black emerging adults’ understandings of suicide and suicidal ideation,
• Identify key factors that shape disclosure and help-seeking behaviors among Black emerging adults, including stigma, trust, emotional safety, and access to culturally affirming support, 
• Apply insights from qualitative research to inform culturally responsive and racially equitable approaches to suicide prevention and mental health promotion for Black emerging adults. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
This continuing education webinar is designed for mental health professionals, therapists, psychologists, social workers, case managers, nurses, and health care professionals. The community is also invited to attend. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION:                                                              
Mental Health America of the Heartland is a pre-approved provider for social workers through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) Provider Number 17-007. This continuing education provider is approved 1.5 hours for social workers and accepted for psychologists, professional counselors, masters prepared psychologists, marriage and family therapists and addiction counselors.

In order to receive continuing education credit and a certificate of attendance for this Zoom webinar, you will be required to participate in the Zoom webinar. You will receive a Zoom invitation via email within a week of webinar. Also you will need to take an online exam and complete an evaluation that will be sent in a separate email after the live Zoom webinar. You must pass the test by 70%. The Zoom webinar will not be available by recording and viewing at any other time.