The Health Education and Learning Program
for Black Males
Africana Studies Department
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Dorchester, MA 02125
Dear Friend:
During a period of my illness, I saw a world that I never knew existed. That world was full of bureaucratic challenges, uncertainty about my survival and more.
During that time, I needed to know that I would get well, that my insurance was in good standing and that I would not become a burden on my family and I could generate enough income to live the life I had grown to appreciate.
Out of my experience, I began to think of men who were not as fortunate as I. Many of them had no job, did not know or understand the system, had no place to live (no home) and had no family.
Over the last decade, we have held many conferences: Diabetes, Heart Disease, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, HIV/AIDS, The Criminal Justice System and Black Males, Mental Health (get your mind right), The need for Women in Black Males Health and The Consequences of War on Black Family and more. Last year we held a one-day planning session on “Call to Action”. This year we will hold a conference on “Affirming Life”, suicide prevention, awareness and activism. We can make our lives more productive without the suicide and its effect on society
Extensive research confirmed that African American males are in crisis.
According to American Association of Suicidology, in 2005, 1,992 African Americans completed suicide in the U.S of these, 1,621 (81%) were males (rate of 8.7 per 100,000). The suicide rate for females was 1.8 per 100,000.
We prevailed upon University of Massachusetts Boston to help us and they did. We founded The Health Education and Learning Program for Black Males, designed to initiate dialogue and action aimed at increasing awareness and effecting positive change towards the health care needs of men of African Descent.
You are invited to join The Health Education and Learning Program and The National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide and become a part of a nationwide movement to promote suicide prevention, awareness and activism that will foster a heather community, state and nation.
Sincerely,
Senator Bill Owens (rtd)
Founder/Director
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Phone: (617) 287-7138 Fax: (617) 287-6799
