A free workshop this weekend will focus on suicide risk and prevention among BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) community members.
“BIPOC Soul: Suicide Risk, Prevention, Intervention for Black Indigenous and People of Color” is hosted by Nicole Rials, founder of K.N. Rials Therapy & Consulting, LLC. The workshop aims to encourage open dialogue about mental health struggles marginalized people experience as well as causes of and solutions for those struggles.
“Suicide is not an easy thing to talk about, but it is a real and present risk in the BIPOC community,” the Facebook event page states. “It is important we have open, supportive and real talk about risk, prevention and intervention!”
The workshop is the second in a series of “BIPOC Soul” wellness events Rials is currently working on. It’s part of an initiative sponsored by a grant from the United Way of Kaw Valley Racial Equity Community Fund that she received through her partnering agency, Life Restoration Ministries, or LRM Foundation.
The first workshop in the series, “BIPOC Soul: Affirming, Navigating, Restoring our mental health and wellness,” was held on July 22. Rials discussed with participants the legacy of historical racial trauma and stigmas barring people of color from seeking mental health help. Participants also learned physical wellness techniques as well as ways to present their mental health concerns to their doctors.
During the workshop this weekend, Rials will lead discussions and activities alongside Reggie Jackson, clinical social worker and founder of Satori Counseling Services; Ashley Granville, clinical social worker; and Elwood Ott, Lawrence community member.
The BIPOC Soul workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 23 at 409 Boutique Venue, 409 E. 12th St. in Lawrence. Registration is free but required via Google forms and will remain open until the event begins. The event is open to everyone ages 17 and older.
Visit the Facebook event page for more information, and visit knrialsconsulting.com to learn more about K.N. Rials Therapy and Consulting LLC.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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