Addressing Suicide in the Black Community
Yes, suicide is real. Yes, suicide occurs in the black community. No, prayer and religion alone do not solve serious mental health concerns.
For so long, suicide has been a deeply sensitive and often avoided subject of conversation in our society, especially in the black community. Despite strides towards destigmatizing mental health issues, there is still much progress to be made. The reluctance to discuss suicide stems from a combination of factors, including its inherently morbid and saddening nature and the fear that openly addressing it may inadvertently encourage thoughts of self-harm or suicide in vulnerable individuals.
It is crucial that we challenge this taboo and create safe spaces where individuals feel empowered to discuss their struggles and seek the support they need. By fostering a climate of empathy and understanding, we can dismantle the barriers that prevent meaningful conversations and ultimately save lives.
As a counseling graduate student, I have recognized these same thoughts and feelings within myself. "To learn is to grow, and we cannot grow if we choose to remain oblivious." – Shavez Pinestraw
Suicide in the Black Community
The stigma surrounding mental health issues and seeking help from mental health professionals, as well as certain aspects of black culture, play a significant role in the rates of suicide within the black community.
Through my personal experiences, I have noticed that there is still this belief that having a mental health disorder makes a person weak or flawed (I mean we are all flawed, that's what makes us inherently human but I digress). As a result, black children and adults often learn to keep their struggles to themselves and attempt to deal with them alone, if at all.
I believe that this is especially true for black men. We are often taught that emotions are a sign of weakness. Men are not supposed to be soft. In my opinion, this way of thinking and being comes from an old standard that black men have adopted due to the legacy of slavery and systemic oppression.
It comes from conversations like this: "We don't have time to deal with these issues at home when we have to deal with struggles everywhere else. Money has to be made so that we can have somewhere to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear."
As black people, we are not always afforded the luxury of caring about how we may be affected or even the way we feel about something because things have to get done. I've seen black people ignore their physical, mental, and emotional health trying to take care of our responsibilities.
Black women are also impacted by similar societal expectations and pressures. Through conversations I've had and even overheard over the years, I have learned that many black women, particularly in older generations, have learned to keep traumatic experiences such as rape/molestation and domestic abuse to themselves. They carry these experiences with them.
If we are not provided a safe space to be heard, seen, believed, or cared for, we will continue to suffer in silence. In the worst case, we may even turn to suicide as a solution to our problems.
Suicide Statistics in the Black Community
2019-2020, Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 10-24.
2019-2020, Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for ages 25-34.
Mental Health Resources
If you or anyone you know is currently dealing with suicidal thoughts or mental health concerns, please don't be afraid to seek help. You don't have to walk this journey alone.
You can also seek 24/7 free help via 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Text: 988, Call: 988, or Chat Online.
Please check out The Mental Health Coalition's list of Black Mental Health Resources.
More resources: