Suicide Rates on the Rise Among Black American Teens

*A study from The University of Toledo examined the suicidal behaviors of Black American adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19, and determined there is a vital need for mental health services in urban school districts. 

As reported by medicalexpress.com, Dr. James Price, professor emeritus of health education and public health at UToledo, authored the study — published in the Journal of Community Health — which found “the rate of suicide deaths among young black males increased by 60 percent from 2001 through 2017,” the report states. When it comes to suicide deaths of young black females during that same time period, the rate increased 182 percent. 

Georgia reportedly has the highest rate in the nation, followed by Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Ohio.

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“There are far more African American adolescents attempting suicide than has been recognized in the past, and their attempts are starting to be much more lethal,” Price said.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death after homicide for Black Americans between the ages of 13 and 19, and most opt to die by way of a firearm. 

“When we look at research with these adolescents, we find that they report their attempt to suicide is a cry for help. Two-thirds of the kids didn’t really want to die, but they’re using the most lethal form of attempting suicide,” Price said. “If you can have those lethal forms of suicide inaccessible to them, then that period of crisis and not seeing the irreversibility of this impulsive decision will pass. And with adequate mental health services available to young people, you may actually reduce the chance they’ll do that act again.”

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The research suggests parents and caregivers who own a handgun to keep them unloaded and locked away and separate from ammunition. 

“What needs to be done early on is to make sure that young people have adequate access to mental health-care services, and mental health-care services have always taken a backseat to other forms of health care,” Price explained. “If you look at where young people in urban areas, especially adolescents, are getting mental health care, it’s in the schools.”

Researchers believe that an increase in mental health access in urban public schools could reduce suicide attempts by as much as 15 percent, according to the report. 

“While that doesn’t solve all the problems, it’s a good first step toward reducing the problem toward severe self-violence,” said Price. 

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