September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic.

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

Individual Impact:

• 78% of all people who die by suicide are male.
• Although more women than men attempt suicide, men are nearly 4x more likely to die by suicide.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
• The overall suicide rate in the U.S. has increased by 35% since 1999.
• 46% of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.
• While nearly half of individuals who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, research shows that 90% experienced symptoms.

Community Impact:

• Annual prevalence of serious thoughts of suicide, by U.S. demographic group:
  • 4.8% of all adults
  • 11.8% of young adults aged 18-25
  • 18.8% of high school students
  • 46.8% of lesbian, gay and bisexual high school students
• Some of the highest rates of suicide in the U.S. are among American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic white communities.
• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are 4x more likely to attempt suicide than straight youth.
• Transgender adults are nearly 12x more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for people held in local jails.

Data from CDC, NIMH and other select sources.

In the Black community.

According to Mental Health First Aid the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been collecting national data on suicides occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic and startling trends are surfacing, specifically among Black Americans. Recent CDC data show 15% of Black, non-Hispanic respondents seriously considered suicide in the past 30 days — compared to 8% of Whites and 10.7% of all respondents. The data also show 44% of Black, non-Hispanic respondents reported more than one adverse mental or behavioral health symptom compared to almost 38% of Whites, and 40% of all respondents.

Below are resources from Psychub.com specifically for the Black community.

Academics for Black Survival and Wellness an organization of Black counseling psychologists and their colleagues who practice Black allyship.

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) is a training, movement building, and grant making organization dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities.

Black Girls Smile Inc. promotes positive mental health for young African American girls.

Black Mental Health Alliance develops, promotes, and sponsors trusted, culturally relevant educational forums, trainings, and referral services that support the health and wellbeing of Black people and other vulnerable communities.

Black Mental Wellness provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, highlights and increases the diversity of mental health professionals, and decreases the mental health stigma in the Black community. (Instagram)

Eustress raises awareness on the importance of mental health in underserved communities, allowing individuals to identify and overcome challenges to achieve a healthier and productive lifestyle.

Inclusive Therapists aims to make the process of seeking therapy simpler and safer for all people, especially marginalized populations.

Melanin and Mental Health connects individuals with culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities.

National Organization for People of Color Aganist Suicide, founded by suicide loss survivor, Dr. Donna Barnes, works to reduce the stigma of suicide prevention among communities of color through training and advocacy

Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness sustains the mental wellness of Black women through building community, sharing information, and connecting Black women to quality mental wellness services.

The AAKOMA Project helps diverse teenagers and their families achieve optimal mental health through dialogue, learning, and the understanding that everyone deserves care and support.

The Loveland Foundation provides financial support for therapy for Black women and girls.

The National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) is a healing justice organization committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color (QTPoC).

Therapy for Black Girls is an online space dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls. (Twitter | Facebook | Podcast)

Therapy for Black Men is a directory to help men of color in their search for a therapist. (Instagram)

Transparent Black Girl is a wellness collective shattering unconventional stigmas surrounding what it means to be well for black women.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress, resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Includes information on finding your local crisis center.

Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Website: http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Click HERE to see more information on resources available.