Mental health is an important part of a healthy community, and Natchez and Adams County are not immune to residents suffering with mental health issues.

One aspect of the community’s mental health that recently caught the attention of the community is the suicide of a young Natchez resident in the past year, who was struggling with being gay.

The suicide prompted a group of concerned citizens — both gay and straight — to band together, calling themselves, “Y’all Means All Natchez.”

The group has the mission of supporting people who may be struggling with their sexuality to let them know people in the community are there to help, not to judge.

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-to 24-year-olds in the United States,” said John Grady Burns, one of the founders of Y’all Means All Natchez. “If you are gay, you are five times more likely to attempt suicide.”

Another founding member, Troy Bickford, said: “There are a lot of gay people in this town who lead productive lives. Just that visibility can provide hope and inspiration for people who are marginalized or on the fringe of the community.”

Y’all Means All, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has set up a webpage at yallmeansallnatchez.org and has a social media presence promoting Mississippi Mental Health’s crisis hotline at 877-353-8689

Y’all Means All is hosting a fundraising event this weekend, a GaYrage Sale, and the proceeds will benefit Southwest Mississippi Mental Health for mental wellness programs and suicide prevention.

We applaud Y’all Means All for the organization’s work to help people who may be struggling with mental health issues, including sexuality.

Natchez is a welcoming and inclusive community and Y’all Means All Natchez is a shining example of that inclusiveness.

We encourage people to support the cause and to shop at this weekend’s GaYrage sale.