Blacks folks do not commit suicide.
White folks do that.
Black folks just need to pray harder.
These statements are insensitive, inaccurate, and all too familiar in the Black community. In fact, the subjects of suicide and mental illness for some are still taboo.
Declarations like this keep Black folks from even acknowledging that they may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, let alone seek help from mental health professionals.
Perhaps, you may recognize some of the names below:
- Glenn Johnson-2020 (Older Brother of Rapper DaBaby)
- Jas Waters-2020 (American Screenwriter and Journalist)
- Craig Raymond Turner-2018 (Eldest son of Tina Turner)
- Tyler Deon Honeycutt-2018 (EuroLeague)
- Frederick Jay Bowdy-2017 (Aspiring Actor)
- O.J. Murdock-2017 (NFL Player)
- MarShawn McCarrel-2016 (Black Lives Matter Leader)
- Kalief Browder-2015 (The Kalief Browder Story on Netflix)
- Karyn Washington-2014 (Founder, “Forbrowngirls.com”)
- Titi Branch-2014 (Co-Founder, Miss Jessie’s)
- Lee Thompson Young-2013 (Young Talented Actor)
- Freddy E.-2013 (Rapper)
- Capital Steez-2013 (Rising Underground Hip Hop Artist)
- Don Cornelius-2012 (American Television Show Host and Producer)
- Kenny McKinley-2010 (NFL Player)
- Shakir Stewart-2008 (Def Jam Exec VP)
- Phyllis Hyman-1995 (American Singer, Songwriter, and Actress)
- Donny Hathaway-1979 (American Singer)
Sadly, these are some Black folks who have committed suicide. They are part of a public health crisis.
According to the World Health Organization, close to 800,000 people die from suicide every year, and this is the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year olds. For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide every year.
The Trace news source reports that in the Chicagoland area alone, where I live, Cook County is seeing an alarming rise in the number of suicides among Black residents. The number of deaths has already matched the total for all of last year, putting 2020 on pace to be the worst year in a decade.
Although Suicide Prevention Awareness Month was in September, I believe this public health issue should be talked about on a regular basis. With the holiday season upon us and the current COVID-19 pandemic, this is a timely discussion. “Black Americans have disproportionately suffered from COVID-19 and the economic fallout, are also shouldering an ever-heavier mental health burden as a racial justice movement has ripped open centuries-old wounds of systemic oppression.” (The Boston Globe)
According to the article Addressing the Crisis of Black Youth Suicide by Joshua Gordon:
As of 2018, suicide became the second leading cause of death in Black children aged 10-14, and the third leading cause of death in Black adolescents aged 15-19. By combining data from 2001 to 2015, researchers were able to examine suicides among children ages 12 and younger and found that Black children were more likely to die by suicide than their White peers.
Gordon also points out that the “disparities in access to mental health services are a contributing factor as well. Black folks overall are less likely to receive treatment for depression than Whites often due to negative perceptions of services and providers and reluctance to acknowledge symptoms. Black youth are also significantly less likely than White youth to receive outpatient treatment even after a suicide attempt.”
During my research, I also ran across the article In Chicago, a Steep Rise in Suicide Among Black People by Lakeidra Chavis (The Trace). After reading it closer, I realized this was about one of my cousin’s best friends, Malik Webber, who at the young age of 21 committed suicide in March 2020.
I vividly remember having a conversation with my cousin about this tragedy and her trepidation of how her youngest son was going to handle hearing this horrific news since this was one of his best friends. My younger cousin had already lost other friends to gun violence and combined with other issues like police brutality and systematic racism, it felt like too much.
As I write this blog post, I can sadly think of eight Black people I knew personally or family members of those I know who have committed suicide. I purposely stopped counting because it saddens me to relive these moments.
Suicide causes a ripple effect because family, friends, and colleagues are forever impacted by such a tragic loss. Their emotions are often overwhelming and heart-wrenching and can trigger intense emotions.
Within the Black community, suicide is an elephant in the room that should routinely be discussed. We should work to decrease the stigma of mental health in our community as a first step towards suicide prevention. Those individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts should not be made to feel ashamed or humiliated, but instead encouraged to seek help from a mental health professional. You can even offer support by accompanying someone to their first appointment to get help.
With the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent presidential election, and just dealing with life stressors, I encourage you to make it a point to call others to check on them because it could very well be a matter of life or death. Social media serves its purpose but calling someone on the phone rather than simply texting could save a life.
If you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out and let a friend or family member know. I urge you not to suffer alone. And this message is for anyone who is struggling with suicidal thoughts.
If you have a family member or friend who has died from suicide, in their memory, and if you are comfortable, please leave their name and something positive about them that you miss in the comment section.
I will start.
Hattie D. – Although she took her life over 40 years ago, I still remember how loving and kind she was. I was an adolescent, and this was my first time experiencing something like this. My mother told me what happened and never talked about it again until almost three decades later. RIP Hattie.
Please do not suffer alone. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). The website is National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
