Suicide may be taboo, but it’s a topic we need to talk about.
In the Black community especially, many young men are taking their lives at alarming rates. While they don’t attempt suicide as often as females, they’re significantly more likely to see it through when they do.
From stress about work and self-worth to struggles in environments where they feel trapped, Black men are feeling the pain – and many refuse to show it. In fact, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, suicide was the third top cause of death in 2020 for Black Americans aged 15 to 24.
Fortunately, there are ways to recognize what’s really going on.
Let’s discuss five suicide risks we should all know to address this serious and growing problem.
1. Substance Abuse
Substance abuse occurs for many reasons, but at its heart, it’s about coping.
Many Black men, especially younger males, use these substances to cover up certain feelings. Sadly, alcohol, drugs, and other substances all play a role in worsening judgments, reducing inhibitions, and increasing feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Research shows undeniably that Black men who use substances repeatedly are more likely to experience negative emotions and suicidal feelings. What first started as a way to escape becomes an inescapable addiction.
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This is why mental health resources, such as rehabilitation, therapy, and simply having people to talk to, are so important in the Black community.
2. Withdrawal
We all need our personal space from time to time, and that’s okay. But what happens when a person goes from being outgoing and socially involved to withdrawn and detached?
One of the reasons Black men do this is actually due to a protective instinct. Rather than explain their problems, shame, struggles, and feelings to family and friends, they keep them private. They instead choose to ‘man up,’ burying their issues.
Unfortunately, this lack of communication and ongoing suppression can cause all kinds of issues. Over time, with nobody to turn to, many Black men may become increasingly lonely, despairing, and hopeless.
Whether suicidal or not, these individuals desperately need help. It can be something as simple as social gatherings and community events like sports or recreation, or something more formal like group mental health sessions and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Regardless of the approach most effective for the individual, it’s always important to foster connection and caring.
3. Unaddressed Mental Illness
All of our bodies and brains are different.
Some people are predisposed to certain mental health conditions, whereas others may not have the slightest issue. Rather than stigmatize problems like depression, anxiety, and stress disorders, we should offer compassion and understanding.
In some cases, mental health problems may go unrecognized because they’re being self-medicated with drugs and alcohol. Moreover, many Black men may feel that seeking help is a weakness.
If you know someone struggling with this, treat it just like a physical illness. Take note of their symptoms, ask them how they’re doing, and be open but non-threatening about particular treatments or therapies. By simply being there as a helping hand, you’ll be surprised at what kind of breakthroughs you can make.
RELATED: 4 Ways to Support Men Through Mental Health Struggles
4. Constant Hopelessness
For many Black men, there are pragmatic reasons to feel short on hope. Environments with few job opportunities, high crime rates, poor health outcomes, and other social inequities can all lead to feelings of hopelessness.
If you or someone you know is persistently low on hope, don’t ignore the feelings. Openly discuss them, charting common sense ways to address them. Take small steps. Day by day, have a plan for making your life better than it was the day before.
With actionable steps toward improvement, your mood and perspective will slowly – but surely! – change too.
5. Major Life Changes
Even good changes can make us feel depressed or even suicidal.
How? Simply consider that change is difficult, leaving behind others, moving on from past events, and not knowing how things are going to end up.
You also have to consider the additional stressors that come – with new jobs, relationship changes, deaths, births, you name it.
Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is write down the pros and cons. Consider every negative and positive, and attach personal meaning to it. How much does it affect you? How will it change things? What will you do to prepare for these changes, big and small?
By considering the factors in these articles, Black men – and any man or woman – can take back their lives. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not always easy, but if you put one foot in front of the other, keep a positive head on your shoulders, and give thanks for the good things, you’re almost guaranteed to feel better!
