Black children (under 13) are almost twice as likely to die by suicide than their white peers,

 

according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health in 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that suicide rates for Black youths (ages 10-24) rose significantly from 2018 to 2021. Compounding the issue, Black Americans face barriers to care that make it harder to seek help, and the stigma of discussing mental health challenges adds an additional hurdle. 

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What can be done to halt and begin to reverse the harm that is being done? There is no simple, one-size-fits-all solution. A broad, coordinated approach is necessary. The Jed Foundation (JED) advocates for equitable support within schools, the justice system, and communities, in addition to eliminating systemic barriers to mental health care. 

 

But in order to get started, it’s essential to understand the issues at play⁠—and our options for resolving them.

 

LEARN More from the JED Foundation about "The Status of Black Youth Mental Health"