The suicide rate for African American children aged 5 to 11 has increased dramatically since 1993 and is still persistent, according to Drs. Jeffrey Bridge, lead researcher at National Children's Hospital. In 1993 suicide was counted as the 14th leading cause of death among these people. Today it is the 10th leading cause of death — nearly twice as many as its white counterparts. Although absurd and difficult to understand, suicide is the leading cause of death among all 5-11 year olds. Drs. Bridge and colleagues are among the first to lead suicide research among these young people, and their work has revealed this in relation to suicide behaviors among African American children.
In celebration of National Mental Health Awareness Month this July, the SAMHSA Office for Moral Health Equality brings awareness to the suicide of African American children. Last year, SAMHSA convened a Virtual Roundtable of leading African American mental health and well-being experts to identify specific risks of racism and self-defense factors that contribute to child suicide behavior. Experts have emphasized the need for early detection of mental health problems in children, better communication and communication between children and their families, understanding of family and social factors affecting children's mental health, and the urgent need for traditional and functional responsive mental health services for young children of color.
Developing mental health services for young children of color requires a culturally and linguistically informed approach. These include testing, testing, referrals, early intervention, and treatment and support. Providers are also required to: understand culture; being able to involve young children and their families; are willing to work to establish a relationship of trust; and are able to deal with social situations that put children and families at risk for mental health problems. It is also important to understand that mental health problems in children are seen differently than in adults. It should also be noted that mental health problems in children of different cultures, races, and ethnicities may occur differently. For example, according to the American Psychological Association Work Group on Health Diparities in Boys and Men, racial and ethnic groups show depression — an important indicator of the risk of suicide — in contrast. Mental health care providers often have a problem finding stress in African Americans, leaving many African Americans with undiagnosed and untreated depression. Similarly, African American boys are routinely diagnosed with an external disorder such as attention deficit disorder or behavioral disorders, when in fact, this may be a manifestation of subtle depression.
Persistent suicide practice should encourage a call to action among staff working in child care programs, such as child and family health care, schools, child welfare; mental health providers and researchers. It should also be a call for action in religious communities, families especially fathers' efforts, and community leadership. Working together to prevent child suicide is essential. And reaching out and rescuing children who are coping with such suicidal thoughts is very urgent.African American boys and about culturally appropriate mental health promotion and early intervention strategies. The discussion was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) features emerging data on the age-related disparities in mental health outcomes for African American boys and related policy and practice implications.
You must be logged in to post a comment.