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WUFO Radio Show Opens Dialogue About Suicide in the Community

Posted at 6:03 PM, Aug 04, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-04 18:05:24-04

A new report from the CDC shows suicide rates for adolescent boys and girls have been steadily increasing since 2007. A Buffalo-based radio show is speaking on the topic hoping to "unmask" the sensitive issue. 

WUFO caller just lost a friend to suicide and read over the phone:
“She last wrote…
Who will cry for the little black girl?
What do you do when after tireless, thankless work, you come home remove your armor and reveal your war-torn skin.
Who will love you despite your scars?
Who is safe to let in?
What do you do when you want the world to be your friend and others to be a committed love-mate and when you open the gift of your embrace, they refuse to come in for whatever reason.”

“I was her best friend and i just don't really feel like much of a friend right now because I wasn't there for her,” she said.

Buffalo Common Council President, Darius Pridgen, says he wasn’t the one to initiate the topic of suicide on today’s radio show, but because it’s on the rise he was asked to use his voice to talk about the sheer sadness suicide brings.

The topic has been on the front burner after 20-year-old, Michelle Carter, was sentenced Thursday for 15 months for the involuntary manslaughter of her 18-year-old boyfriend in 2014.

“In our communities, we have to go to stop being silent about it and stop not talking about it,” Pridgen said.

Pridgen says this is not the end of the conversation about suicide. He will be talking about it at the four services through the True Bethel Baptist Church on Sunday, August 6th.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Each year 44,193 Americans die by suicide.
- There are 121 suicides per day on average.

Here is the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

For more information,click here.