Quantcast
Channel: Local – NBC10 Philadelphia
Viewing all 60435 articles
Browse latest View live

Sex Assault in Wawa Restroom

0
0

Philadelphia Police released surveillance video in hopes of tracking down a man suspected of sexually assaulting a 23-year-old man inside a Wawa restroom.

Video released Wednesday shows the suspect wearing a dark-colored tank top with a red pocket, blue shorts and light-color sneakers entering the convenience store at 3901 Aramingo Avenue in the Port Richmond neighborhood around 2:35 a.m. on April 14.

The suspect followed the victim into a restroom where he sexually assaulted him, police said.

After the assault the suspect got into the passenger side of a blue four-door Honda or Mazda sedan and drove off, investigators said.

Anyone with information or who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit at 215-6853251 or 3252.




Photo Credit: Surveillance image released by Philadelphia Police
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Teen Girl Loses Leg After Being Pulled Underneath Train

0
0

A teen girl is fighting for her life after she was pulled underneath a freight train in Southwest Philadelphia.

Police say the 16-year-old girl and three other kids were playing by the CSX train tracks off 56th Street and Grays Avenue around 1:50 p.m. when a freight train approached. The kids began running and touching the side of the train as it passed through, investigators said. While touching it, the 16-year-old girl was pulled underneath the train, losing one leg and badly damaging the other, according to officials.

"The train was continuing to move by the young lady who was touching the train," Philadelphia Police Lieutenant John Walker said. "She loses her footing and she grabs onto a post that's on the train. Unfortunately her legs go underneath the train when one of her legs is severed and her other leg is severely damaged."

The teen was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where she is currently in critical condition.



Photo Credit: NBC10

Talking About Suicide May Be Key to Stopping It

Dept. of Homeland Security, ILC Create Life-Saving Balloon

0
0

ILC Dover is making an inflatable tunnel plug, called the Resilient Tunnel Plug (RTP), that could potentially save lives.

Philadelphia Half-Marathon Makes Its Route More 'Exciting'

0
0

The Philadelphia Marathon announced their new route for the annual Philadelphia Half-Marathon.

The half-marathon will take place on November 18, 2017, and this year, the route will pass by many historic sites of Philadelphia.

Ten miles of the 26.2-mile run will be inside the city.

“The new Half-Marathon course features almost 10 miles of city running and promises to be the most exciting Half-Marathon course in city history,” said race director for the Philadelphia Marathon, Jim Marino.

The route includes running through the following locations: Philly’s Historic District, Fairmount Park and passing by the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, City Hall, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the National Museum of American Jewish History, Ben Franklin’s Grave, the U.S. Mint, the National Constitution Center, Mother Bethel AME Church, the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square, the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Zoo, across Girard Street Bridge and the Schuylkill River, Mount Pleasant Mansion, Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.


Not only is there a new route, but there are new prices. If you register on June 7, Global Running Day, half-marathon prices will be reduced by ten dollars, and marathon prices will be reduced by 20 dollars.

The marathon weekend brings in about 30,000 runners, 60,000 supports and 3,000 volunteers annually. The Half-Marathon as well as the Rothman 8k will take place Saturday, November 18 while the Philadelphia Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 19.



Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff City of Philadelphia

Good Samaritan Fights Armed Robber in NJ Wawa

0
0

A Good Samaritan who thwarted a robbery inside a New Jersey Wawa doesn’t consider himself a hero. Instead he described himself as an average man who is proud of where he’s from. It’s that pride that inspired him to take action and protect a business that he regularly supports.

“Not in this Wawa that I visit every day,” Daryl, who did not want to reveal his last name, told NBC10. “We’re not gonna have that nonsense. There are nice ladies in here that work here and they don’t deserve it. Don’t deserve it at all.”

Daryl, 52, was inside a Wawa on the 600 block of Cross Keys Road in Sicklerville, New Jersey Wednesday shortly before 2 a.m. That’s when police say Alexander Ray, 26, of Maple Shade, New Jersey, walked inside, took out a handgun and ordered all of the store employees to get down on the ground.

“The way he came in with the gun blazing and pointing it right at them,” Daryl said. “You know, aggressive voice. ‘Get Down! Get down! Get down! Give me the money!’”

As Ray walked towards the registers, Daryl jumped into action, police said. Daryl tackled the suspect leading to a fight inside the store that was caught on surveillance video. Daryl told NBC10 he wasn’t even thinking about the fact that the suspect had a gun. 

“That didn’t even come into my mind,” he said. “My mind is take advantage of a situation when it came about, to get him down and hold him until the authorities came.”

The fight between the two men continued through the front doors and outside the Wawa.

“He wanted me to let him go,” Daryl said. “He asked me could he get up and go. Said he was sorry that he came here and can I let him go. And that wasn’t happening.”

Daryl managed to disarm Ray, investigators said. Police officers arrived at the scene as the two men continued to fight. They then took Ray into custody. Police say they recovered Ray’s handgun but discovered it was not loaded.

Ray was taken to Cooper Hospital where he is being evaluated for injuries he suffered during the fight. He faces several charges including robbery, aggravated assault and weapons offenses when he is released.

Daryl also suffered bruises to his hands and an eye injury. He was taken to JFK Washington Township where he received four stitches on his eye. He told NBC10 he doesn’t regret stepping in to help however.

“If I had to do it all over again I probably would,” he said.

Daryl is the father of three children, including a South Jersey police officer.

“Knowing that he puts his life on the line, as well as all the other officers, us as Samaritans, we kind of like have to help the police,” Daryl said. “Police our community.”

He also said he doesn’t recommend other people do what he did however.

“I wouldn’t advise anyone to try to take on somebody with a gun,” Daryl said. “Be aware of surroundings. If you see something out of place, notify the authorities.”

While police echoed that sentiment, they also hailed Daryl a hero.

“I’m not a hero,” Daryl said. “I’m just an ordinary guy who came in here for a cup of coffee and a bag of donuts.”

Montgomery County Commits to Climate Action Efforts

0
0

During a time in which climate action efforts are widely discussed, Montgomery County officials have made it clear where they stand.

On June 1st, President Donald Trump delivered a statement saying that the United States would pull out of the Paris Climate Accord. After the announcement, many cities and communities have voiced their opinions and reactions.

In a statement made Wednesday, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair Valerie Arkoosh and Vice Chair Kenneth Lawrence Jr. confirmed their stance on the issue.

"Montgomery County, PA is joining hundreds of mayors and county officials who are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. Climate change is a scientific fact, and we must work together to reduce our CO2 emissions," stated the commissioners.

Over the last 10 years, a total of 136,502 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent has been avoided in buildings owned or operated by Montgomery County. Measures such as LED lighting across the county, alternative vehicles for local departments, and conservation efforts in parkland and wildlife have all impacted the community’s reduced carbon footprint.

With the spotlight especially bright on this issue, they have announced future plans to further improve conservation efforts.

"We have approved a five year $15 million dollar plan developed by our Open Space and Parks Boards to conserve more than 400 high priority acres of open space and natural areas around our parks and trails," they wrote.

In addition, the Board of Commissioners has partnered with the state to triple the amount of farmland preservation funding.

"The county will continue with these efforts and in finding new ways to reduce our carbon footprint to protect the county, the region, and the world from the negative impact of climate change," they wrote.




Photo Credit: Montgomery County Board of Commissioners

Major Cleanup at Barnegat Bay

0
0

Stafford Township Intermediate School students are among thousands of volunteers and D.E.P. staffers collecting garbage in New Jersey's eighth Barnegat Bay Blitz. The day-long cleanup spreads out across the 660-square-mile watershed. The event was launched by the Christie administration as part of a larger effort to study and repair Barnegat Bay. NBC10's Ted Greenberg has the story.


NBC10 Responds: Mom Gets Denied Boarding on Her Flight Back Home

0
0

An Oak Valley woman was denied boarding on her Delta Airlines flight back home from her son's wedding in Cancun. She had to shell out hundreds of dollars just to get home. A Delta rep blamed third party travel sight Travelocity for the issue because they did not pay the airline for the flight. The NBC10 Responds team and Harry Hairston were called to help get the woman's money back.

Community Prays for Boy Struck in Wilmington Shooting

0
0

A community came together Wednesday night to pray and show their support for a young boy who was struck by a stray bullet while in a vehicle with his mother in Wilmington, Delaware.

The 6-year-old boy and his 31-year-old mother were inside an SUV that pulled up at a stop sign on the 700 block of E. 6th Street Tuesday. Police say a gunman then got out of another car and opened fire.

The boy was shot in the head while his mother was cut on the arm by broken glass. The boy was taken to the A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital and is currently in critical condition. His mother was taken to St. Francis Hospital and later released. Police don't believe the woman and her son were the gunman's intended victims.

On Wednesday loved ones returned to the intersection where the boy and his mother were shot and held a prayer meeting. They prayed for the boy and also mourned other victims of gun violence. 

"He's still fighting," the boy's cousin, Jaywann Bullock said. "Things are getting a little better but not as much as we would like."

Bullock told NBC10 bullet fragments are still inside his cousin's body and doctors can't remove them right now. He is urging people to talk to police to help them find the gunman.

"It's not snitching," Bullock said. "Things are getting out of hand right now."

Several Wilmington city leaders attended Wednesday's prayer meeting, including Wilmington Police Chief Robert Tracy and Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki.

"We do have leads on who did this shooting," Chief Tracy said. "We do have leads on who was involved in this. And we're going to bring them to justice as quickly as possible."

If you have any information on the shooting please call Detective Devon Jones at 302-576-6206. You can also leave tips on the Delaware Crime Stoppers Tip-line at 1-800-TIP-3333, or text a tip to NIXLE at 888777.




Photo Credit: Brandon Hudson

Truck Drivers in Lehigh Valley Hope to Beat Clogged Traffic

0
0

With big rig trucks doubling by the year 2040, the Lehigh Valley is aiming to educate young drivers about the importance of sharing the road. NBC10's Randy Gyllenhaal has the story.

How Cosby Trial Could Impact Sexual Assault Survivors

10 at 7: What You Need to Know Today

0
0

Here are the 10 things you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.


TODAY'S TOP STORY 

Preventing Suicide: Breaking the Silence Digital Documentary: Suicide is considered a whispered word. But those who have attempted it — and their friends and relatives — are sharing their stories to heal and help others in crisis. Watch our full-length special report. This NBC10 digital documentary is one of many video, written and interactive pieces that we have put together about this topic.

    YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

    After a chilly start Thursday, the sun should start a warm-up with a high around 75. Temps really heat up over the weekend as the 90s are expected by Sunday.  Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

    WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

    Pennsylvania House Passes Big Gambling Expansion: The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed rushed legislation to expand casino-style gambling to the internet, airports, bars and elsewhere. The vote, 104-90, came Wednesday night on hundreds of pages of legislation made public just hours earlier. House Majority Leader Dave Reed says the vote is an important step before budget negotiations heat up this month. It's not clear whether it'll have support from senators or Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. 

    AROUND THE WORLD

    RNC Rolls out Efforts to Combat Comey Testimony: The Republican National Committee says President Donald Trump knew that firing FBI Director James Comey would be "detrimental to his presidency" but believed it was the right thing to do for the country. That's among the talking points the RNC is providing to Trump backers ahead of Comey's testimony on Capitol Hill Thursday.

      TODAY'S TALKER                

      Caught on Cam: Good Samaritan Fights Armed Robber in Wawa: A Good Samaritan who thwarted a robbery inside a New Jersey Wawa doesn’t consider himself a hero. Instead he described himself as an average man who is proud of where he’s from. It’s that pride that inspired him to take action and protect a business that he regularly supports. “Not in this Wawa that I visit every day,” Daryl, who did not want to reveal his last name, told NBC10. “We’re not gonna have that nonsense. There are nice ladies in here that work here and they don’t deserve it. Don’t deserve it at all.”

      SPORTS SPOT

      Phillies Lose Big: A tough night for the Phillies as they lose 14-1 in Atlanta. A position player even had to pitch. Get your full sports news at CSNPhilly.

      PHOTO OF THE DAY

      See more Top News Photos here.

      THROUGH IGER'S EYES

      @visitphilly captured this photo William Penn sans the scaffold.

      Have an awesome Instagram photo you'd like to share? Tag it with #NBC10Buzz.

      TODAY'S VIRAL VIDEO

      The Slow Mo Guys show what it's like to get crushed by a giant water balloon: Click here to watch. 

      A LITTLE SWEETENER 

      Urban Dedicates CMT Male Video of the Year Award to Kidman: Keith Urban beat Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett to win Male Video of the Year for "Blue Ain't Your Color." He used the moment to celebrate the woman in his life. "I want to say massive thank you to my wife, Nicole Mary, because you have no idea how much of what I do, she's involved in every little piece of it," the Australian country star gushed. "And especially for the videos and helping me." Learn more.


      That's what you need to know. We've got more stories worthy of your time in the Breakfast Buzz section. Click here to check them out


      This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

      Supermarket Murder-Suicide Leaves 4 Dead

      0
      0

      A supermarket employee brought two guns to work overnight Thursday and fatally shot three fellow employees before turning the gun on himself, Pennsylvania state police said.

      Troopers from the Tunkhannock barracks in northeastern Pennsylvania didn't immediately explain why 24-year-old Randy Stair, of Dallas, shot the others and himself in a Weis Market shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday.

      Stair's shift started when the store closed at 11 p.m. Police said he later took two pistol-grip shotguns from a duffel bag and began shooting.

      Stair fatally shot Terry Sterling, 63, of South Montrose; Victoria Brong, 26, of Factoryville; and Brian Hayes, 47, of Springville; before firing other random shots inside the store. Stair then shot himself in the head, police said.

      One witness escaped unharmed.

      Troopers planned to release more information at news conference later Thursday.

      Troopers responding to the shooting found four bodies and the witness, who reportedly called Wyoming County 911 dispatchers.

      Police stressed that the store was closed to the public when the shooting occurred, and that nobody else was inside at the time. Online records indicate the store is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

      "We are deeply saddened by the events of this morning," Weis spokesman Dennis Curtain said in a statement. "The safety of our associates, our customers, and the surrounding community is our top priority."

      SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: The National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

      Police Hunt Man in Black After Random Attack on Woman

      0
      0

      A man dressed completely in black sneaked up behind a woman, grabbed her and tried to sexually attack her as she walked home in Hoboken over the weekend, authorities say.

      The woman managed to fight off the man after the attack on Second and Madison streets around 1 a.m. Sunday, authorities say. The stranger ran off and the woman called for help.

      The victim did not suffer from any physical injury, police said.

      Authorities are still looking for the suspect. They released surveillance photos, including the one above, of a man who fit the description and was near the scene at the time.

      Anyone with information is asked to call 201-420-2100 or email gonzalezar@hobokenpd.org.



      Photo Credit: Hoboken Police Department

      Shock Video Shows Cops Kick Burning Bystander After NJ Chase

      0
      0

      An innocent man was beaten by cops after a police chase and shooting that ended in a fiery crash in Jersey City Sunday night, prosecutors say.

      The man seen on video being kicked by officers on Tonnelle Avenue turned out to be a bystander who suffered burns in the crash -- not the driver that police officers were pursuing, according to the Hudson County prosecutor's office. 

      "Our investigators have reviewed the video and we believe with certainty that this man is the bystander from West New York who suffered burns, not Leo Pinkston, the individual pursued by police," said a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. 

      Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop says he wants the officers fired.

      "This is unacceptable," he tweeted Wednesday. "We're IDing officers. We'll pursue termination + criminal charges as appropriate." 

      He later told News 4, "I don't think there's any explanation that would justify their actions," Fulop said. "The entire pursuit that was previous to that fiery crash had questionable judgment calls from the officers, from the shootings to continuing to pursue the car."  

      Prosecutors are continuing to investigate the video, and prosecutors are asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them at 201-915-1345. 

      The police chase began at Ocean and Cator avenues after 11 p.m., when the driver, identified as the 48-year-old Pinkston, fled police during a traffic stop. Cops pursued him down Tonnelle Avenue, and Pinkston got into a minor crash when he tried to move between two lanes of traffic.

      That's when Jersey City police opened fire, though it's not clear if anyone was hit by the bullets, authorities said. Pinkston kept going until he crashed into a utility pole a few blocks away and his vehicle burst into blames. 

      Another man happened to be driving along Tonnelle Avenue at the time of the chase, and was critically injured when Pinkston's vehicle combusted, authorities said at the time. Prosecutors now say that was the man in the video being kicked by cops.

      A neighbor, Tom Evans, said he watched from his balcony as two cars slammed into the utility pole, then saw emergency responders struggle to pull someone out of a burning car. 

      The man who recorded the encounter on video, Eric Roberto, told News 4 he witnessed the officers kicking the injured man and dragging him into the street.

      "They didn't help him, they just started kicking him and grabbing him," Roberto said. "I don't think they treated him the right way, and that's not how you treat any human in this world." 

      The Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association, a union representing Jersey City police officers, said the officers were trying to put out the flames and get the man to safety. 

      "Taking swift action isn't always elegant, but this video clearly shows that the officers acted quickly to extinguish the flames, and pull this man out of harm's way," JCPOBA President Carmine Disbrow said in a statement. 

      The burned bystander is being treated for his injuries. His family told News 4 New York that he has severe burns and fractured ribs, and that he's going into surgery on Thursday.

      "When I saw the images of my son being massacred, it was indescribable. He was just leaving home for work," the victim's father, Tomas Felix, said. 

      Meanwhile, Pinkston is also being treated at a hospital and faces charges of aggravated assault and eluding. Prosecutors didn't immediately say why police initially tried to stop him, nor did they say why he may have fled. 

      A spokeswoman for Jersey City says city officials are working with prosecutors to identify the officers in the video. The city will seek termination of the officers, "in addition to any possible criminal penalties in appropriate cases," said Jennifer Morrill. 



      Photo Credit: Erik Roberto

      Search for SUV Driver Who Struck, Killed Cyclist

      0
      0

      Police are searching for the driver of an SUV who plowed into a bicyclist before ditching the vehicle and taking off on foot.

      A man was riding a bike on Rose Street in Newark shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday when he was hit by the black SUV, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said.

      The driver of the SUV took off and drove about a mile before leaving the vehicle near the intersection of South Orange and Littleton avenues.

      Video from Chopper 4 shows the SUV with heavy front-end damage, and its front left tire appears to be dislodged. Video from Rose Street shows the bicycle toppled beside a gold car with a plastic bag next to it.

      The bicyclist died from his injuries. He has not yet been identified.

      The search for the driver continued Wednesday night. 

      Where Has Great White Shark Mary Lee Surfaced Now?

      0
      0

      Mary Lee just can't stay away from the Jersey Shore. The 16-foot, 3,456-pound great white shark's shore tour included stops off Ocean City, Ventnor and Longport in the past 48 hours.

      Nonprofit shark-tracking group OCEARCH got a series of pings from Mary Lee Tuesday night into Thursday morning. Mary Lee surfaced at 5:48 p.m. Tuesday off Ocean City's 19th Street beach. About 30 minutes later, Mary Lee pinged off of Ventnor City in the area of the Ventnor City Library.

      At 7:59 p.m. Tuesday, Mary Lee pinged a little further north before heading south and reappearing at 5:33 a.m. and 9:18 a.m. Wednesday off Ocean City again. 

      Mary Lee then surfaced two times Wednesday night off Ocean City before moving north and pinging at 4:45 a.m. off the coast of Longport.

      "A 'ping' is determined when the tagged shark's dorsal fin breaks the surface of the water and transmits a signal to a satellite overhead," OCEARCH said while noting the exact geo-location is an estimate.

      Mary Lee could be headed away from the coast as the shark's latest reading came at 5:07 a.m. further out to sea. Of course, with the circles she's been swimming, she could just as well be making another Jersey coastal stop.

      These are the latest appearances for Mary Lee who surfaced near Atlantic City's coastline on May 31 and near Cape May, New Jersey and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware over the Memorial Day Weekend.

      Researchers have been monitoring the shark’s movements after tagging her off Cape Cod back on September 17, 2012. Since then she’s made several trips to New Jersey.

      OCEARCH expedition leader Chris Fischer says the group's mission is to gain data about the great white shark population in hopes of protecting fish in the ocean. He says people shouldn’t fear a shark being in local waters. Instead, they should celebrate it because of what a shark means to the ocean ecosystem.

      "People should be terrified of an ocean that's not full of sharks. They keep everything in balance," Fischer said. "So, if we want to make sure that our great-grandchildren can eat fish sandwiches, we need lots of big sharks."

      You can track the movements of Mary Lee and and other sharks by clicking here or by downloading the Global Shark Tracker app for your iPhone or Android. You can also follow Mary Lee on Twitter.



      Photo Credit: OCEARCH

      ACCT Looking to Clear Its Shelter by Waiving Fees

      0
      0

      It's a full house in one of Philadelphia's Animal Control Centers, prompting a promotional event for fee-waived adoptions through Sunday.

      Religion and Suicide: From Judgment to Prevention

      0
      0

      People are quick to judge others who are struggling with mental health issues, particularly if those issues include suicidal ideation. At least that is what those who are struggling with those issues often fear they’ll experience from friends and family and peers — judgment.

      But what if that that fear of judgment extends beyond peers to a higher power?[[427247543,300,600,L]]

      Most religions have proscriptions against suicide. The idea is borne out “across all major religions,” says Lucy Bregman, a religion professor at Temple University who teaches about “Death and Dying.”

      “It is thought that your earthly life is not your own,” she told NBC10, “and the idea can be found in various religious writings.” A verse in the Quran even lays it out flat — “And do not kill yourselves, surely God is most Merciful to you.”

      In looking at the numbers, those deeply held religious beliefs may work as a preventive. According to a 2016 study of “Association Between Religious Service Attendance and Lower Suicide Rates Among US Women” that tracked suicides from 1996 to 2010, women who attended religious services once a week or more were five times less likely to die by suicide than those who didn’t attend religious services.

      Other studies (including “Religious Affiliation and Suicide Attempt,” published in The American Journal of Psychiatry) show that religious affiliation is associated with less suicidal behavior in depressed patients, and that “greater moral objections to suicide and lower aggression level in religiously affiliated subjects may function as protective factors against suicide attempts.”

      But those moral objections have also contributed to stigma toward those who die by suicide and have anguished suicide loss survivors. As NBC10 journalists Alicia Lozano and Vince Lattanzio note in their piece Why Talking About Suicide May Be Our Best Hope For Stopping Suicide, “The Judeo-Christian tradition condemned the act throughout much of history, teaching that only God can give and take life. Catholics who die by suicide cannot receive absolution. In the Jewish tradition, someone who died at their own hands could not be buried in a Jewish cemetery.”

      But Bregman says that in the past few decades religious leaders and communities of faith have shifted how they deal with suicide.

      "Slowly, suicide and mental health became a pastoral problem rather than a ‘should we have a Catholic funeral for them’ dilemma, or a Jewish funeral, or so on,” Bergman said.. “You no longer have this idea that the person committed a sin of despair.”

      [[427242841, C]]

      The Catechism of the Catholic Church, for example now enjoins adherents of that faith to not despair for those who have died by suicide. “By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance,” the most recent catechism states.

      It’s not just a change in pastoral care — community and religious leaders are beginning to look also into treating the mental health issues that often underlay suicide ideation.

      Jenna Violi, a theology teacher at Saint Basil Academy in Jenkintown who is pursuing her Master's’ Degree in Religious and Pastoral Studies at Cabrini University, says she knows the importance of talking about mental health issues at the school where she teaches.

      “Back in the day there was definitely this sense of denial of there being something wrong with my child, and this denial of treating mental health. I think it was just that people did not know how to handle it or deal with it,” Violi said. “That is definitely changing. I try to make myself very approachable to the girls, and I try to be very candid with them so that they can feel like they can do the same for me. We try to make it an open and as welcoming an environment as possible.”

      [[427091321, C]]

      This is especially important for young people: a recent study published in the journal “Translation Psychiatry” shows that depression in children appears to start as early as 11. The study also reports that by the time children turn 17, 13.6 percent of boys and 36.1 percent of girls have been or are depressed.

      Rabbi Lance Sussman, of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, agrees that the thinking around mental health has shifted, and admits that young people are helping to define what they need from their religious communities.

      “Young people in our community and around the country are more understanding, more inclusive to what others need, and are more comforting,” Sussman said. “They can see why people may feel a certain way, but want to help.”

      [[423887503, 300, 750, R]]

      Ahmah Hammoudeh, 21, a computer science major at La Salle University and a devout Muslim, says he wouldn’t hesitate to go to an imam or religious scholar for guidance if he felt suicidal. Likewise if a loved one had died by suicide.

      “I would go to a religious figure in order to find out what things I can do to help [the loved one],” Hammoudeh said. “I will find out that that I can pray for him, ask Almighty to forgive him, I can do good deeds and acts in his name so that he or she can get the reward. I will also find out that the loved one still has a chance to be forgiven by Allah and enter Paradise.”

      Both Sussman and Violi say that anyone having thoughts of suicide can walk into their religious centers and find help and support. Still, they acknowledge that there seems to be a lack of mental health support groups within their communities.

      “I think one thing our parishes are lacking is groups to meet with others and talk about what you're feeling,” Violi said. “Topics like this might be brought up in youth groups every once in a while, but I don’t know of any churches that ‘advertise’ meetings. That being said, you can always go to your priest or rabbi or any religious leader and they won’t turn you away.”

       “At our level,” Sussman said, “we try to put out the signal that we are available for anyone twenty-four-seven, and obviously there is still an increased need for suicide hotlines and groups.”

      “I think anyone, religious or not, would agree that no matter what the circumstance, there is always someone out there to talk about what they are feeling,” he said.


      Editor’s note: During the course of reporting, NBC10 found a number of suicide support groups, under the auspices of houses of worship. Please view the resource list for more information.



      Photo Credit: Getty Images
      This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
      Viewing all 60435 articles
      Browse latest View live




      Latest Images