African Americans and Suicide...

African American Suicide Fact Sheet
· Suicide is the third leading cause of death among black youth, after homicides and
accidents.
· While Caucasians are twice as likely as African Americans to complete suicide, the
rate of suicide is growing faster among African American youth than among
Caucasians.
· From 1980 - 1995 the rates of suicide among black children 10 n14 years of age
(233%) and black teenagers 15 - 19 years of age (126%) years had greater
percentage increases than white children (120%) and white teenagers (19%).
· From 1980 - 1995 the suicide rate increased 214% for 15-24 year old African
American males; it increased 93% for African American females. However, since
1995, these rates have decreased 16% (1998) for males, while remaining steady
for females (1998).
· African American females are more likely to attempt suicide but African American
males are more likely to complete suicide.
· Firearms were the predominant method of suicide completion among African
Americans, accounting for 65% of all suicides among 15-24 year olds and 58% of
all suicides among 25-34 year olds.
· In 1998, African American deaths certified as suicide occurred at the rate of 5 per
day.

Myths
· African Americans are too psychologically unsophisticated to experience
depression and suicide.
· Only middle class Caucasians complete suicide.
· Depression is a personal weakness rather than a medical condition.
· There is no cultural difference in the expression of suicidal behaviors.
Things We Can Do to Help
· Help remove the stigma that suicide contradicts gender and cultural role
expectations:
o Religious stigma of suicide as the Aunforgivable sin.
o African American men are macho and do not take their own lives.
· African American women are always strong and resilient and never crack under
pressure.
· Remove barriers to treatment.
· Better access to mental health treatment.
· Remove stigma associated with mental health treatment.
· Increase awareness in cultural differences in the expression of suicidal behaviors:
o African Americans are less likely to use drugs during a suicide crisis.
o Behavioral component of depression in African Americans is more
pronounced.
o Some African Americans express little suicide intent or depressive
symptoms during suicide crisis.
o Differences in classification by medical examiners.
· Develop liaisons with faith community.
· Recognize warning signs and help a friend or family member get professional help.
Warning Signs of a Suicidal Person

A suicidal person may:
· Talk about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live
· Be preoccupied with death and dying
· Withdraw from friends and/or social activities
· Have a recent severe loss (esp. relationship) or threat of significant loss
· Experience drastic changes in behavior
· Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
· Prepare for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements
· Give away prized possessions
· Have attempted suicide before
· Take unnecessary risks; be reckless, and/or impulsive
· Lose interest in their personal appearance
· Increase their use of alcohol or drugs
· Express a sense of hopelessness
· Be faced with a situation of humiliation or failure
· Have a history of violence or hostility
· Have been unwilling to connect with potential helpers

For More Information
National Organization For People of Color Against Suicide
http://www.nopcas.com/

American Association of Suicidology
4201 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 408
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 237-2280
Email: info@suicidology.org www.suicidology.org