Her daughter was vibrant, free-spirited, full of life, a nature lover with a deep affection for dogs. No one saw it coming.

This heartbreaking experience transformed Sarah’s understanding of suicide. She now gently reminds others: “Just because someone is smiling doesn’t mean they aren’t in pain.”

Holding on to hope, Sarah believes that her daughter’s life — and death — carry meaning. Today, she supports other parents through their own journeys of grief, shame, and guilt, offering comfort through shared experience and empathy. Every holiday, she sets a plate at the table for her daughter and softly says: “You are never forgotten. . . and we will forever love you.”

Public health data show that suicide is the third leading cause of death among black youth ages 15 to 24 in the United States. Between 2008 and 2019, suicide attempts rose significantly among young adults ages 18 to 25. Alarmingly, suicide rates among black young adults ages 18 to 24 increased by 37% from 2018 to 2021.

A 2020 report from the Congressional Black Caucus Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health titled, “Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America,” highlights the gravity of the situation. According to the report:

“Among youth aged 10 to 19, suicide is the second leading cause of death. In 2017 alone, over 3,000 youth in this age group died by suicide. Over the past decade, the suicide death rate for black youth rose from 2.55 per 100,000 in 2007 to 4.82 per 100,000 in 2017. Alarmingly, black children under 13 are twice as likely to die by suicide as their peers, and black boys age 5 to 11 are more likely to die by suicide compared to their white counterparts. The suicide death rate among black youth is increasing more rapidly than any other racial or ethnic group.”

While research on suicidal thoughts and behaviors in black youth has shown mixed results, recent data underscores growing concern. A study using the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey — a national assessment of adolescent health —found that suicide attempts among black adolescents increased by 73% between 1991 and 2017. During the same period, suicide attempts resulting in injury rose by 122% for black adolescent boys, suggesting an increase in the use of more lethal means.

Historically, black youth have not been seen as a high-risk group for suicide, but emerging trends tell a different, more urgent story.

Several factors contribute to the frequency of attempts, and their lethality.

• Racial Trauma: Ongoing exposure to racism causes chronic stress, fear, and emotional pain. This trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, social isolation, PTSD, and an increased risk of suicide.
• Mental Health Stigma: Deep-rooted distrust in the healthcare system, shaped by historical abuses such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, continues to delay diagnosis and treatment in black communities.
• Discrimination and Suicidality: Research published in BMC Public Health shows that young black adults who experience frequent discrimination are more likely to report suicidal thoughts or attempts. In contrast, those who hold positive attitudes toward seeking mental health support are 34% less likely to attempt suicide and 35% less likely to experience suicidal ideation.

• Poverty and Psychological Distress: Due to systemic inequities, black Americans are disproportionately affected by poverty, which increases vulnerability to mental health challenges.
• Residential Segregation: Historically rooted segregation continues to limit access to quality education, employment opportunities, and healthcare, exacerbating both economic hardship and emotional strain.
• Barriers to Care: High costs and limited access to affordable mental health services often prevent individuals from receiving the care they need.

• Compounded Effects: The intersection of racism, poverty, and mental health stigma can intensify feelings of hopelessness, disconnection, and worthlessness.
• Intergenerational Trauma: Trauma isn’t always individual — it’s often inherited. The effects of past and present injustices can pass through generations, influencing identity, resilience, and emotional well-being.
• Youth Suicide Disparities: Young black men are particularly at risk, facing unique cultural and societal pressures that compound their mental health challenges.

While racism and injustice are undeniable risk factors, suicide is a complex and multifaceted issue. It cannot be attributed to one cause alone.

As Kathy Hurt wrote in the National Alliance on Mental Illness Journal (November 17, 2017), “Suicide is not a desire for death, but a cry for life — more life, better life.”

• Address systemic racism and economic barriers.
• Increase access to culturally competent mental health care.
• Promote mental health education and reduce stigma in both faith and black communities.
• Let’s also be clear: mental health struggles do not equal weak faith. Seeking help, whether through therapy, medication, or pastoral care, is not spiritual failure. It is wisdom. It is stewardship.

While prayer is powerful, it is OK to also ask for help. And it is necessary to move beyond harmful cultural norms like “what happens in the family stays in the family.” Healing often begins in the light.

As the Apostle Paul instructs us:

“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

• Providing faith-based counseling and support groups.
• Creating safe, stigma-free spaces for open and honest conversations.
• Encouraging the integration of spiritual support with professional mental health care.
• Actively checking in on members, especially those who may be struggling silently.

One example of this important work is The Balm in Gilead, an organization that partners with African American faith communities to address health disparities, including mental health and suicide prevention. Learn more at balmingilead.org.