As part of her dissertation research, Jessie Washington, PhD (Religion, Emory University) engaged Nia Project members in a digital storytelling project. Digital storytelling is a participatory arts-based research method that empowers participants to shape their own narratives using voiceover narration, still and moving images and music presented in a digital video format. In the spring of 2023, Jessie worked with Nia members to craft digital stories to better understand the experience of being suicidal and the suicide recovery process from the perspective of survivors.
Five of these digital stories were shared publicly in September 2023 at Voices Restored, a suicide awareness and prevention event hosted by the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the spiritual home of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the congregation of US Senator Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock. Following the screening of the digital stories, there was a panel discussion about suicide among Black people and the role of religion, spirituality and religious institutions in supporting people who live with mental health challenges and suicidality. Panelists included four of the digital storytelling project participants and mental and spiritual health care professionals, including Dr. Nadine Kaslow (Nia Project Founder), Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Y. Lartey (Candler School of Theology), Dr. Natalie Watson-Singleton (Spelman College), Dr. Alia Rowe (Atlanta Veterans Affairs) and Dr. Wesley Willis (Private Practice).
Jessie was proud to partner with Nia and Ebenezer to create and share these powerful stories.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text 988 24/7 to speak with someone and receive support.