With a stomach full of over a dozen different over-the-counter pills, 16-year-old Alexa
Bernard stood outside in the midst of a snowstorm and waited for the moment her body
would get weak and her life would be over. Tired of the constant arguments with her
mother and the haunting memories of repeated molestation and rape, Bernard just wanted
everything to end. "I was tired and I told myself I was going solve everyone's problems
and die," she said. But her body didn't react to her attempt to overdose. "I stood outside
and waited but nothing happened. So I figured I have a purpose I just don't know what it
is yet," she said. Four years later, at the age of 20, Bernard is an English major at Howard
University telling her story to help someone else.
But she isn't alone. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, every
15 minutes someone dies from suicide. Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of all deaths
in the United States and the third leading cause among young people 15 to 24 years of
age.
Mayor Vincent Gary proclaimed September 4-10, 2011 as National Suicide Prevention
Week. In the District of Columbia, on average, 32 residents die by suicide each year.
According to the District of Columbia Suicide Prevention Resource Center, African
Americans make up 57% of the suicide rate.
President of the National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide, Donna
Barnes, Ph.D., is focused on bringing awareness to the African American community.
"The issue of suicide is often not addressed or many don't pay attention because of the
other issues, such as AIDS/HIV addressing the community," she said.
"One of the main causes of suicide within the African American community is untreated
depression," she went on to say.
In addition to frustrating arguments with her mother, Bernard suffered from depression.
The fear of being abused multiples times took a toll on her and she couldn't cope. "Stop
saying people who commit [suicide are] selfish. There are a lot of people who are
depressed. You don't know what someone's been through. There are people walking
around campus who want to commit suicide," she said.
Zalika Cobb, junior psychology major and member of the Suicide Prevention Action
Group, said students are paying more attention but only for a short moment. "Over the
summer, one male student threatened to end his life via Facebook and there were people
who didn't even know him reaching out to make sure he didn't go through with it, but
afterwards the interested waivered and no one is addressing the issue now," she said.
The Howard University Suicide Prevention Group holds "Save a Life: Training"
every second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 2:00-3:30 P.M. at the
Mental Health Clinic located at 530 Bryant St. There is also online training at http://
www.qprtraining.com/setup.
Dr. Barnes suggests that suicide survivors sign a pledge committing to looking after
themselves, supporting others and reaching out in times of need.
is a member of the 
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