In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the HOPE in Harlem Conference aims to enhance mental health care among youth through the integration of sports and faith. Scheduled for this Saturday, the event will be hosted at Harlem’s First Corinthian Baptist Church, marking a significant initiative of the HOPE Center clinic.
The conference, set to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be followed by a Wellness Street Fair running until 4 p.m. The HOPE in Harlem Conference is a key component of the HOPE Center clinic’s ongoing efforts to combat mental health stigma within the Black community.
Featuring a diverse lineup of professional athletes, medical experts, and educators, the conference seeks to foster leadership skills and promote awareness about the 988 National Suicide Lifeline. The clinic is also dedicated to assessing community engagement and tracking participant progress.
Dr. Lena Green, executive director of the HOPE Center, shared insights into the clinic’s impact. “We receive feedback from parents indicating improvements in their children’s academic performance and behavior at home. Children are showing greater respect, seeking permission, and engaging in open conversations,” Green said.
A notable advocate for this initiative is Dr. Sidney Hankerson, Director of Mental Health Equity Research at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. Hankerson highlighted the gender disparities in suicide rates, stating, “Men are more likely to die by suicide than women. By partnering with sports organizations and churches, we hope to engage men more effectively and reduce stigma, ultimately saving lives.”
The conference also aims to establish a network of churches nationwide interested in adopting the mental health model promoted by the HOPE Center.
The event will spotlight the experiences of program participants like Kacey Little, a 16-year-old softball player inspired by Jackie Robinson. Little, who has been involved in the sport since the age of five, remains focused on her goals despite personal tragedy. Her best friend was recently killed, a loss that has profoundly impacted her. “I check on his mom, I text her. She tells me, ‘have a good day on purpose, every day,’ so that’s what I try to do,” Little said tearfully.
Currently a junior at St. Raymond Academy, Little is committed to pursuing collegiate athletics while maintaining mental resilience, supported by the THRIVE program at the HOPE Center. “We have strong credibility with our teens,” Green noted. “They’re recommending the program to their friends as a safe and supportive environment to discuss their feelings.”
The HOPE in Harlem Conference reflects a collaborative approach to mental health, merging faith, sports, and community engagement to create a supportive network for young people.
