Still Ringing the Alarm: Youth Suicide Trends

As a Black psychiatrist dedicated to improving mental health care access for people of color and particularly children, I find the recent article by The Pew Charitable Trusts deeply troubling. The rising suicide rate among Black adolescents underscores the urgent need to address the systemic barriers to mental health care.

In my practice, I have seen firsthand the reluctance among people of color to seek mental health care. This hesitation is often rooted in historical stigma, mistrust of the medical system, and a dearth of culturally competent care providers. And I would be remiss if I did not highlight the callous disregard and ineptitude of employers who make pusillanimous, performative gestures to say they prioritize employee wellness while forcing employees to choose between attending mental health appointments for themselves and their loved ones while losing a day’s salary or dealing with the burden of worsening mental health and substantially higher repercussions. These barriers delay crucial early intervention and perpetuate untreated mental health issues that can change the course of a young life unalterably.

I founded my private practice with the hope of effecting positive change in access to mental health care for low-access communities. While the for-profit health care industry, insurance companies, and skeevy employers present significant challenges, I remain fully committed to this mission. The alarming statistics around Black youth suicides, as highlighted in this article, fuel my determination to continue this essential work.

I urge parents, educators, and community leaders to prioritize mental health and seek care from a safe, supportive provider when needed. We need more culturally sensitive mental health resources, increased representation of Black professionals, increased representation of allies of Black professionals in the field, and widespread community education to reduce stigma. Mental health care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of race or background.

Join me in this charge to ensure all our youth receive the support and care they deserve. Their mental health matters, and addressing these disparities is not just a medical necessity, but a moral imperative.