… suicide in the United States has surged to the highest levels in 30 years, with increases in every age group except older adults and black men, reports the New York Times.
The good news for black men is especially heartening given the news from last May that the suicide rate among black children has nearly doubled since the early 1990s.
The number of suicides increased among all racial groups except for Black males, who saw an 8 percent decline in suicide rate from 10.5 to 9.7 per 100,000 between 1999 and 2014.
Because of mental health stigma, particularly in the black community, many individuals are reluctant to talk about mental health issues. Expressing mental anguish is often seen as exhibiting weakness. What is most dangerous is that even when they acknowledge depression, many black men don’t seek mental health services.
Want to know the signs of someone who is suicidal? Click here.
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please seek help.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Bowdy family.