Friday, September 10, 2021

Mental and emotional health is a serious problem in the African American community.

Depression and anxiety are rampant and devastating—and untreated. The health care

community often fails to identify mental health problems, fails to treat mental health

problems, and fails to provide support for mental health problems and crises.

Risk factors for Black suicide include male sex, early adulthood, substance abuse, psychiatric

disorders, family or interpersonal conflict, antisocial behavior, and homosexuality. African

American boys between the ages of 5 and 12 are more likely to die by suicide than any other

age group. Nationwide, suicides among Black children under 18 are up 71 percent in the

past decade. The rate of suicide among Black girls has risen more than 200 percent in recent

years. Get more information about this alarming and life-threatening problem and

resources that can help. Reach out for help. Listen to someone who needs help. We are in

this together.