September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical issue of suicide and mental health. This observance becomes particularly important when focusing on marginalized communities, such as Black and Brown youth, who face unique challenges that significantly impact their mental health and well-being.
Suicide is a complex issue influenced by a host of different factors including mental illness, social environment, and cultural influences. For Black and Brown youth, these factors are often heightened by systemic issues such as socioeconomic disparities, racial discrimination, and cultural stigmas around mental health. The intersectionality of race and mental health makes it crucial to tailor suicide prevention efforts to address these specific needs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the suicide rate among Black youth has been rising, with recent reports indicating a significant increase in suicide rates among Black and Brown adolescents compared to their white peers. Similarly, Hispanic youth also face elevated suicide risks, influenced by factors such as acculturation stress and familial challenges.
Suicide and mental illness are often thought of as a white occurrence. Despite the racial disparities — and the fact that suicide is the second leading cause of death among all adolescents — there has been an absence of research examining the racial and ethnic differences in youth suicidal ideation, plans, or suicide attempts.
This is partly because Black researchers who examine health disparities have sadly been underfunded. So much so the director of the National Institutes of Health issued a public apology for “structural racism in biomedical research” — but also because there are only a handful of academics who study these topics.
These days, people are hesitant to inject race into any conversation, and that includes about suicide. But the subject of race cannot be lost on this conversation, along with culture. Anytime we speak about Black mental health, it’s not just about one thing. It’s several things, including trauma that has not been addressed. Black and Brown youth are experiencing racism every day, in various areas of their lives.
A report presented to Congress in 2019 identified gaps in research and policy and has since resulted in more research dollars flowing to studies related to Black youth suicide, including a program to teach middle-schoolers about mental health and a suicide prevention intervention called Success Over Stress, which touches on themes like systemic racism and police brutality to help ninth-grade students at predominantly Black schools develop coping skills.
Systemic inequities play a substantial role in the mental health crisis faced by Black and Brown youth. Economic instability affects access to resources, including mental health services. Many families in marginalized communities struggle with financial constraints that can limit their ability to seek and afford mental health care.
When I was growing up, Black people rarely talked about or sought mental health services. If you even thought you were depressed or going through something, you were told there’s nothing the Lord can’t fix. You needed to pray. You needed to go to church and let the elders lay hands on you. You better not go and “tell them people all your business,” I recall a family member saying. This stigma is what kept Black people silent and hurting. Unfortunately, it has trickled down from generation to generation.
Black people face numerous challenges that affect our mental health, including high rates of unemployment, poverty, and incarceration; health disparities and disability; the emotional and psychological impact that the pandemic brought our way; and the steady rise of police shootings in our communities. All of these challenges are complicated by the intergenerational trauma of slavery, the very mention of which sparks a visceral reaction even now. Black people were brought to this country as slave labor, and, along the way, laws were passed to ensure that they and their descendants would continue to be enslaved forever.
This history retraumatizes and reactivates centuries-old intergenerational fight-or-flight strategies for coping. I believe all of this plays a significant role in how our youth’s challenges are addressed — or not addressed properly.
In addition, schools in marginalized communities often face a lack of resources, which can contribute to academic stress and hinder access to supportive services, such as counseling and mental health education. Persistent experiences of racial discrimination and systemic racism can have profound psychological effects. Chronic exposure to these stressors can lead to increased feelings of hopelessness and depression.
Addressing the mental health needs of Black and Brown youth requires a culturally competent approach, including culturally relevant education about mental health. It should be tailored to relevant examples and language that resonate with the experiences of Black and Brown youth.
Mental health professionals should receive training on cultural competence to better understand and address the unique needs of Black and Brown youth. This training can help providers deliver more effective and empathetic care.
Promoting overall wellness is vital, such as programs that focus on building resilience and coping skills that can empower youth to manage stress and navigate challenges more effectively. I believe programs that involve family members and caregivers can enhance these support networks. It can help reduce the decades-long stigma and encourage open conversations in the home about mental health.
This month reminds us of the opportunity to focus on action and advocacy. We can encourage inclusive practices in schools, workplaces, and communities that recognize and address the unique needs of Black and Brown youth. Inclusivity can help create environments where everyone feels valued and supported. Through continued collective action and awareness, we can work towards a future where every young person has the resources and the support they need to thrive — and live.
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