In the last few years, we have heard of many stories of Black celebrities who died by suicide. They have included names such as Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss, Cheslie Kryst, Lee Thompson Young, and even Don Cornelius. From September 10th to the 16th it is Suicide Prevention Week with the month dedicated to its awareness. Their have been an overall decline of death by suicide among youth, but the numbers have been trending higher for Black Americans in the last few years. In 2022, the rates of suicide amongst Black youth surpassed that of White youth for the first time. It’s now that we must make all people aware of the numbers as we aim for a better future. To start, make sure you check up on those you care about, because sometimes we just don’t know the internal struggles they may be having.
Sometimes there is no advance warning before someone dies by suicide and other times, they may have had a history of mental illness. In today’s world, some of the top causes are…
- Social media
- History of mental illness
- Exposure to traumatic events
In our society, social media has seen a rise in the last 15 years or so. With this comes more opportunities for bullying, especially amongst adolescents. Also, there is more access to negative images and information. Then, there is more exposure to the truth and the lies people present to others regarding their personal lives, causing increased feelings of jealousy and envy.
There are many people who deal with mental illness. But not all people have access to health professionals or may not actually seek help. Bipolar and Schizophrenic behaviors often present themselves for others to see, but depression is more of the silent type. There are many people who are functional in society but may be dealing with depression behind closed doors. Some of these people may tell someone they are close to what they are dealing with, and others keep it to themselves.
Then, there are the traumas people are exposed to. There’s trauma within one’s home in terms of domestic violence. Trauma can happen if someone witnesses a crime or has been a victim. There’s trauma if someone spends any time in jail. Trauma can happen from losing a loved one at any age. Trauma is all around us and can negatively affect some people more than others.
Here are some statistics to help keep Suicide Prevention Awareness a topic of conversation.
- As of 2020, suicide accounted for the third largest reason for death amongst Black Americans ages 15-24 years old.
- The age group between 25 and 34 has the highest rate of death from suicide in the Black community.
- Death by suicide is four times higher for Black men, than for Black women.
- Black youth are less likely to receive mental health care amongst all other groups.
- Black people are exposed more to racism and discrimination, which can have a negative affect on one’s mental health.
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for Black females between the ages of 12 and 14.
- Black Americans, especially men, display depression different from the typical sadness. They can display anger, irritability, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, and even body pain/digestive issues.
Let’s be a part of the change to help educate on this topic. Let’s keep this conversation of Suicide Prevention Awareness going to educate young people and all adults that we know. It would be nice to see the numbers decrease in the coming years. To end, If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the National Hotline at 988.