Rochester church holds prayer night for youth after tragedy
Mar 28, 2025
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A night of prayer at the Great Harvest Church in Rochester focused on supporting youth. Organizers said it comes after a student died after a mental health crisis earlier this week at the School of the Arts. Pastors shared this message: It's okay to reach out for help.
"It's heartbreaking and devastating what has taken place," Great Harvest Church Youth Pastor Israel Dudley told News 8. "So now it's our time to step up and come together and make sure something like that doesn't happen again."
That tragedy, a 15-year-old girl who died after police said she fell from the top of School of the Arts Monday while experiencing a mental health crisis. Youth Pastor Dudley and Pastor Richard Roberson said with this prayer, they are hoping to provide a safe and free space for youth to reflect and for guidance — that is free from any judgement.
"We're creating a space for those that can feel comfortable to cry out, pray, think and reflect on what they can do better to help fix their situation, fix the problems, and also that there's someone here that can help them and give them guidance on how to navigate through daily life, through struggles, through peer pressure, through depression that they may go into," Pastor Roberson said.
Several organizations in Rochester talked about signs to look out for if one notices changes in their loved ones. Hopelessness, behavior changes, and lack of interest in doing activities are some examples shared.
Lydia Strong and Kareem Murrell echoed that support is always available. They encouraged continuous community engagement and prayer, not just in times of crisis.
"I know the generations growing up now — it's more peer pressure. It's more things they're dealing with, home situations, stuff like that. You know, a lot of outside world stuff, and just to see that happen... it was devastating to me," Murrell said.
"[You] definitely have somebody to talk to, even when times get hard, don't think you don't. You do. Just, just got to come around, you know? And you do, though.
If someone you know or love is experiencing a mental health crisis, 24/7 help is available through the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. That's a 988 phone call. ...read more read less