Black Children Are Killing Themselves

With the rise of Black youth dying by suicide, we need well-funded research that will tell us why and how to stop them.

Photo by Rahel Daniel on Unsplash

The suicide rate in America amongst Black youth is increasing rapidly, and we have to ask ourselves why we are not collectively outraged by the preventable deaths of Black children.

In November 2019, a frightening study was released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which concluded that suicide attempts increased 73% among Black children between 1991–2017 and decreased 7.5% among white adolescents.

The study revealed suicide ideation and suicidal plans declined among US adolescents between 1991–2017; however, suicide attempts increased exclusively among Black adolescents.

Black boys between 5 and 11 years old have experienced an increase in suicide deaths, and in Black children ages 5–12 years old, the suicide rate is two times higher compared to white children.

In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death among Black children and teenagers.

A sex disparity was also present between Black children highlighting Black girls are more likely to attempt suicide…