The death of Kalief Browder highlights many social issues often ignored, including suicide among Black males. Little is written and even less is said about the prevalence of completed suicide among Black males, despite the fact that thousands die every year due to fatal self-harm. In order to reduce the frequency of completed suicide we must understand the factors which contribute to such behavior. Here are seven facts you need to know about suicide among African-American males.
Increasing Rates. Suicide rates for African-American males are increasing and have been for the past 50 years. Research by Ward and Collins[ii] revealed that for the past 50 years suicide rates increased by nearly 30% for Black American males.
Dying Young. The increase in completed suicide among Black males is primarily due to the large numbers of young Black males engaging in self-harm. Completed suicide is the third largest killer of adolescent Black males[iii] with rates continuing to climb. Even more horrifying, the rate of fatal self-harm among Black children ages 5-11 is on the rise[iv].
Our Depression is Different. Risk factors for Black males can look different than traditional markers of mental health concerns. Specifically Black males with substance abuse issues have higher rates of depression than some other diverse ethno-cultural groups. This is important as depression is often seen as the precursor to suicidal behavior. Furthermore, anger, irritability and engagement in violence can all be unsuspected symptoms of depression[v].