AFRICAN AMERICAN SUICIDE FACTS
Compiled & Submitted by Dr. Lia Ivey, Ph.D., LCPC
for more information go to www.nopas.org

  1. Suicide is the third leading cause among black youth after homicides and accidents.
  2. The suicide rate among black youth is growing faster than among Caucasian youth.
  3. African American females are more likely to attempt suicide but African American males are more likely to complete suicide.
  4. Firearms were the most common 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.

MYTHS

  1. African Americans don’t experience serious depressive symptoms.
  2. Depression is a personal weakness rather than a medical condition.
  3. Only Caucasians attempt and complete suicide.
  4. If a person tries to commit suicide it must mean they are “crazy”.
  5. There is no cultural difference in the expression of suicidal behaviors.
  6. African American men are macho and do not take their own lives.
  7. African American women are always strong and resilient and never crack under pressure.

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR

  1. African Americans are less likely to use drugs during a suicide crisis.
  2. The behavioral component of depression is more pronounced in African Americans.
  3. Some African Americans don’t show any depressive symptoms or suicidal intent during a suicidal crisis.
  4. Medical examiners may under-diagnose or misdiagnose behaviors in African Americans.

WARNING SIGNS OF A SUICIDAL PERSON

  1. Talk about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live
  2. Be preoccupied with death and dying
  3. Withdraw from friends and/or social activities
  4. Have a recent severe loss (especially a relationship, a death of a loved one, or a job), or a threat of a significant loss.
  5. Experience drastic changes in behavior.
  6. Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
  7. Prepare for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements.
  8. Giving away prized possessions.
  9. Have a history of suicide attempts.
  10. Take unnecessary risks, be reckless, and/or impulsive.
  11. Loss of interest in personal appearance.
  12. Increase in use of alcohol and/or drugs.
  13. Expres a sense of hopelessness.
  14. Be faced with a situation of humiliation or failure.
  15. Have a history of violence or hostility.
  16. Have been unwilling to receive help or talk with anyone.