Distress and #suicide among the young have increased during the #pandemic

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Eric M. Brown Ph.D.

THE BASICS

- #SuicideRiskFactors and Signs

- Find a #therapist near me

KEY POINTS

- For the first time in recent history, #suicide is higher for #Black #children than for white peers.

- The #Black community's resources to reduce #suicide significantly include mentoring, broaching the topic, and destigmatizing #mentalhealth.

- The most important thing we can do for young people is to take the time to be a consistent presence in their life.

Source: Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels

The tragedy of #ReginaKing’s son, Ian Alexander, Jr., dying by #suicide has sent waves of sadness and fear through the nation. Reading about the close relationship they shared, knowing the deep bond that is often present between #Black mothers and their sons, made this news particularly painful.

Learning of #CheslieKryst’s death by #suicide was another tragic blow, reminding us that professional success does not protect us from deep pain. This has only heightened our fear. The thought of losing one of our young people scares us, and we are seeing a staggering increase in suicides among our #Blackyouth.

Increase of #Suicide in #BlackYouth

Recently the attorney general reported that #mentaldistress and #suicide of young persons has significantly increased during the #pandemic. Before the #pandemic, in 2019, one in six #adolescents reported making a suicidal plan in the previous year, an increase of 44 percent since 2009.

For #Blackyouth, it was even worse, with an increase of 80 percent during the same 10-year period. Since the #pandemic, the number of #suicidalthoughts and #behaviors of #Blackyouth has increased. For the first time in recent history, #Black #children are nearly twice as likely to die by #suicide than white #children.

Anytime a #suicide occurs, family, friends, and those in the community want to know why it happened and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. But the reasons for #suicide are not fully understood. There is a range of causes that include brain chemistry, environment, and situational factors that are far too complex for us to pinpoint a single cause.

#Parents silently fear they may be to blame, friends feel guilty they did not reach out more, #teachers and #youth pastors question what they missed. Like Job’s friends in the Old Testament, perhaps if we can lay blame, we can assure ourselves that this won’t happen again.

#SuicidePrevention

We can’t know why a particular person committed #suicide. But thankfully, we know that there are things we can do to help reduce the chances that our young people will take their lives.

The first thing we must do, as #adults, is intentionally work to build relationships with the young people in our community. The #CenterforDiseaseControl has found that the #childhood experience most likely to foster resilience in young people with high rates of #AdverseChildhoodExperiences, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, is a positive relationship with one or more #adults outside of their home. This means we have the resources in our communities to increase the general well-being of many of our #youth.

We know that people who are suicidal are likely to suffer from two prevailing thoughts, “I am alone” and “I am a burden.” We know that #socialisolation increases the likelihood of #suicide. The most important thing we can do for young people is to take the time to be a consistent presence in their life. Mentoring has proven to have multiple benefits for young people, increasing their #self-esteem and self-worth and improving their #mentalhealth.

The second thing we must do is be willing to broach the topic. As we build close relationships with young people in our community, we have to be willing to ask direct questions such as “Have you thought about taking your life?” Or “Do you ever wish you weren’t alive?” Or “Do you ever wish you would go to sleep and now wake up in the morning?” The thought is so terrifying for #parents that they often do not ask. But it is important for #adults who can serve as a non-anxious presence in the life of young people to inquire about #suicidalthoughts once a good relationship has been established. By asking direct questions, we then know when we need to advocate for a #child or #adolescent to get the professional help they need.

#James Donaldson notes:Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticleOrder your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

http://www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

We know that suicides are often committed by people with diagnosable #mentalhealthdisorders. I’ve been encouraged to see many more #Black people entering into the #mentalhealthprofessions. As a result of this increase in representation, we see a rise in #Black individuals and families seeking #mentalhealthcare. The #stigma and shame around therapy are decreasing as many #Black people in positions of fame and power speak out on their #mentalhealthstruggles.

The #pandemic has been devastating for the #Blackcommunity in so many ways, and we are seeing that our #children and #adolescents may be taking it the hardest. Loving and affirming our #youth is critical to the future of our people.

If you or someone you love is contemplating #suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7 contact the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline, 1-800-273-TALK, or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To find a #therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.

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https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/09/septemberisnationalsuicidepreventionmonth-a-staggering-increase-in-suicide-among-blackyouth/