Wake County P.E. teacher, former SAU basketball player dies: 'Great sadness'

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The recent death of a former Saint Augustine's University basketball player and current Wake County P.E. teacher underscores the importance of the message of World Suicide Prevention Day.

Daveon Dunn, a 6-2 guard who played for the Falcons from 2021-22, reportedly died by suicide on Monday.

A graduate of Garner High School, Dunn, 23, was working as a physical education teacher/coach at Ligon Middle School in Raleigh.

On Tuesday, Ligon Middle Principal Darren J. Williams sent a message to parents and students, saying in part, "It is with great sadness that I write this message to let you know that one of our Physical Education teachers, Mr. Daveon Dunn, died yesterday, September 8th. Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to Mr. Dunn's family and friends."

The school said it was making grief counselors available to those who needed them.

World Suicide Prevention Day is held annually on Sept. 10 and aims to call attention to the importance of mental health and reducing stigmas.

Dr. Ashley Gilmore, of Durham-based Gilmore Counseling Services, noted that Black men die by suicide at a rate 4 times higher than Black women.

"I think mental health can be deemed problematic, especially for men in general, but more specifically for Black men," Gilmore said. "Black men are taught that they are not able to share their emotions or to cry. They're considered strong. And I think because they are Black men, they can be isolated."

According to an obituary, arrangements for Dunn are not yet complete.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm, trained mental health professionals can be reached anytime by texting or calling 988.

ABC11's DeJuan Hoggard contributed.