Black Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Over the last several years, data has emerged indicating an alarming increase in the suicide rates for Black children and teenagers over the past generation. In 2022, Silence the Shame partnered with Georgia State Senator Tanya Anderson to create a resolution to designate May 1st Black Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. We want to highlight the growing risk factors and social determinants of health exacerbating the mental health of black children and teens (4-18) in Georgia. Silence the Shame is dedicated to eliminating mental health stigma and reducing health disparities and suicide rates among black youth and adults. New research shows that the suicide rate among Black children and young adults is increasing faster than any other demographic, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The data shows a 36.6% increase in the suicide rate among Black people aged 10 to 24, rising from 8.2 per 100,000 in 2018 to 11.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
Black Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
On April 30, 2019, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) established the Emergency Taskforce on Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health (the Taskforce), with Rep. Watson Coleman as the chair. The Taskforce empowered a working group of leading Black academic, research, advocacy, and practice experts to offer thoughtful solutions to address the alarming rates of suicide among black youth (Ring the Alarm: the Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America). On the back of Stress Awareness Month and the commencement of Mental Health Awareness Month, May 1st will engage communities to share relevant data and offer prevention and intervention strategies to support healthier outcomes in black communities. In 2022, Silence the Shame partnered with Georgia State Senator Tanya Anderson to create a resolution to designate May 1st Black Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. We want to highlight the growing risk factors and social determinants of health exacerbating the mental health of black children and teens (4-18) in Georgia.
This year we continue to recognize May 1st, Black Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, along with 100 organizations and people. Sign on and promote in your state by requesting a proclamation or advocating for a resolution. Help us take this to Congress! Advocate for funding for culturally represented scientists, researchers, and practitioners interested in studying these issues to guide interventions and policies for Black communities and address disparities that affect Black youth.
Help us go to Congress!
Silence the Shame and over 100 people and organizations recognize May 1st as Black Children's Mental Health Awareness Day in Georgia to bring attention to the growing risk factors and social determinants of health that exacerbate the mental health of black children. In 2022, Silence the Shame partnered with Georgia State Senator Tanya Anderson to create a resolution to designate May 1st Black Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. We want to highlight the growing risk factors and social determinants of health exacerbating the mental health of black children and teens (4-18) in Georgia. STS will observe this day by (1) Increasing awareness of risk factors and challenges unique to Black youth to reduce stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness, (2) offering prevention and intervention strategies to support healthier outcomes, and (3) advocating for funding for culturally represented scientists, researchers, and practitioners interested in studying these issues to guide interventions and policies for black communities and health disparities. Sign on and promote in your state by requesting a proclamation or advocating for a resolution. Help us take this to Congress!
Supporters
Mental Health America
Stepping Through LLC
Trinity Social Services
Open Arms Inc
Background
Between 1991 and 2017, suicide attempts among black adolescents increased by 73%, while attempts among white youth decreased, according to an analysis of more than 198,000 high school students nationwide. ii Other studies have shown an elevated risk of suicide among African American boys ages 5 to 11. As a result of these findings, psychologists boost their efforts to address suicide by diagnosing and treating its precursors, including trauma, depression, and anxiety, while raising awareness of the crisis. Black researchers have attempted to study these findings further but denied those opportunities. Black people face increased rates of risk factors, including experiences of racism, higher rates of unemployment and financial and food insecurity, disparities in other aspects of health, and limited access to care, all of which result in an increased burden of mental illness in black communities. As of 2018, suicide became the second leading cause of death in Black children aged 10-14 and the third leading cause of death in Black adolescents aged 15-19. By combining data from 2001 to 2015, researchers examined suicides among children ages 12 and younger and found that Black children were more likely to die by suicide than White peers. In addition, African American teens are more likely to use lethal means in suicide attempts (e.g., suffocating, hanging, and using firearms). Between 2001 and 2017, rates of suicide increased by 60% among African American teens males and 182% among African American females.vi Mental Health America’s online screening data indicates that the most significant increase in the proportion of youth experiencing suicidal ideation between 2019 and 2020 was for Black or African American screeners and Hispanic or Latinx screeners. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events in childhood and the conditions in the child’s environment that can undermine their sense of safety and stability. Research in ACEs has increased in recent years, with hundreds of studies finding a strong and consistent relationship between childhood adversity and numerous public health outcomes. Children from minority backgrounds—whether based on race, socioeconomic standing, or sexual orientation—were at distinctly higher risk of ACEs and their devastating life-long effects than middle-class white children. For example, in the United States, 61% of black children and 51% of Hispanic children have experienced at least one ACE, compared to 40% of white children. In most areas, the population most at risk was black children.
