Suicide Prevention in Black Communities: Why Culturally Affirming Support Matters
By Yolande Clark-Jackson
In the fight to save lives and strengthen our communities, we must confront a painful truth: suicide rates in Black communities are rising at an alarming pace, and traditional approaches to mental health support often fall short of meeting our community’s unique needs.
There are devastating statistics affecting our young people—Black children ages 5 to 12 are twice as likely to die by suicide as their White peers, but the crisis extends across all age groups and demands a response that honors our cultural values and breaks down harmful barriers to care.
Too many in our community are carrying untold stories of pain, trauma, and despair, and too often, they’re suffering in silence without access to the mental health support that could save their lives. The time has come to have honest conversations about mental health as a critical suicide prevention strategy that acknowledges both our cultural strengths and the systemic challenges to create pathways to healing that feel authentic and accessible to our community.
Despite the evidence that Black communities are disproportionately exposed to stress and show signs of high-risk of suicide, mental health support in Black communities remains inadequate. Only one in three Black adults who experience mental health problems receive treatment, compared to nearly half of white adults. This treatment gap represents thousands of preventable deaths and immeasurable community suffering.
When Suicide Prevention Works
When mental health support is culturally affirming and accessible, it can:
Build resilience before crises occur by teaching coping strategies for managing stress, trauma, and daily challenges
Address root causes like racial trauma, discrimination, and historical trauma that contribute to mental health struggles
Create safety nets through therapeutic relationships and peer connections that provide ongoing support
Develop emotional literacy helping individuals recognize, understand, and express their feelings in healthy ways
Strengthen family and community bonds by improving communication and conflict resolution skills
Provide early intervention for mental health conditions before they escalate to suicidal ideation
Why Culturally Affirming Support Matters
Some people think mental health and suicide interventions are one-size fits all, but the truth is: generic mental health approaches don’t work. Culturally affirming support recognizes that effective suicide prevention must address the specific experiences and needs of Black and Brown communities.:
Honor Cultural Values: Our community’s emphasis on family, faith, resilience, and collective responsibility can be powerful protective factors when incorporated into mental health support rather than dismissed or ignored.
Address Root Causes: Effective support acknowledges how racism, discrimination, and systemic inequities contribute to mental health challenges, rather than focusing solely on individual symptoms.
Build Trust: Mental health professionals who understand Black culture, history, and experiences can create authentic and safer spaces for healing and recovery.
Incorporate Spiritual and Cultural Practices: Many in our community find strength in faith traditions, cultural practices, and community connections. Affirming support integrates these elements rather than seeing them as obstacles to treatment.
Recognize Strength and Resilience: Rather than focusing only on deficits, culturally affirming approaches acknowledge the incredible strength and resilience that exist within Black communities while addressing areas where additional support is needed.
Resources and Next Steps
Creating lasting change requires both individual and collective action:
For Individuals: If you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide, know that you deserve support and that culturally affirming help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) now includes specialized support for communities of color.
For Families: Have ongoing conversations about mental health that normalize seeking help while honoring cultural values. Create family safety plans and know how to access culturally responsive mental health services.
Moving Forward with Hope
Suicide prevention in Black communities requires more than awareness, it demands action that honors our cultural strengths while addressing the unique challenges we face. When we create support systems that affirm our experiences, validate our struggles, and build on our resilience, we can save lives and one another.
Sometimes it is difficult to have these conversations alone. If you’re not sure where to start or how to support your teen or one in your care or community, reach out to us. Ibisanmi Relational Health therapists are trained and skilled professionals who can help.
Book a free 15-minute consultation here.
And, be sure to follow IG at @ibisanmi.relational for mental health check ins, tips, and inspirational posts.
