Suicide is a sensitive topic because of how damaging it is for the person who does the act and the lives of people around them who need to cope. A recent study from the University of Georgia (UGA) reveals that young Black men from rural areas are dying by suicide at alarming rates. The study explains that one in three rural Black men reported they recently experienced suicidal ideation or thoughts of death. These thoughts stem from childhood adversity and racism. Steven Kogan and Michael Curtis are the co-authors of the study. They are human development and family studies scholars. They explain why everyone needs to care about this subject, what signs we can look for in the young black men around us, and why we need to play a role in prevention because the system won’t.
“I think in this country, we have stopped investing in people. We are more focused on what they can produce than what they can become. Our study particularly demonstrates that the system is systemically failing these men. From exposing them to childhood adversity to insufficient support in adulthood to keep them alive. That’s very problematic,” said Michael Curtis, University of Georgia graduate, and Emory University postdoctoral fellow.
UGA’s study on Young black men and suicide was released on March 26. The study was conducted over ten years and surveyed over 500 young black men. Participants in the study were in their late teens and were followed by researchers until their early 20s. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is particularly prevalent among Black men, who die by suicide at a rate more than four times that of Black women.
What Kogan and Curtis uncovered with the study is that growing up in a low-resource environment and experiencing racial discrimination during young adulthood makes it challenging to engage in healthy, trusting relationships. Strong feelings of mistrust and caution toward social relationships can lead to feelings of isolation, which in turn can prompt thoughts of death and suicide.
“The transition to adulthood, for young black men, particularly in low resource environments, is a place where there are so many changes that can affect your life,” said Steven Kogan, University of Georgia professor of Human Development and Family Science.
The material also presents young Black men in general, and those living in rural areas in particular, are disproportionately affected by childhood adversity. They’re more likely to come from economically distressed families, grow up in low-resource neighborhoods, and experience trauma in their communities than their white peers.
“The poverty rates in rural Georgia, among black families and young men, are just ridiculous. To knit a life for yourself to take care of a family to get a job, often the school systems are not great, and they fail to serve the needs of black youth. Growing up and finding a life in a rural environment can be particularly hard to thrive,” said Kogan.
“When we think of the concept of rural, we often don’t think of black Americans, even especially here in the South. There are huge black rural communities that are well-established but don’t have access to resources. It’s a bit of a perpetual cycle because there’s no one attempting to address their issues,” said Curtis.
Relationships are the best prevention against suicide. The study states thoughts can set in quickly, and one of the most significant protective factors against suicide is healthy relationships. An example is having someone to call when those feelings get overwhelming. Kogan explains how quality relationships can make a difference in one’s health, and withdrawal from those relationships could be a warning sign.
“Connection is fundamental. I think some of the warning signs concern the quality of relationships. Suppose you start disconnecting from sources of support and nurturance, from family, from partners with children. In that case, you start on a path where you’re less integrated into the parts of the community that feed your soul, which is a hard place to be,” said Kogan.
Signs to look for in those who are socially isolating themselves are lack of communication between them and their loved ones. If the individual starts giving away items of significance, it is another signal to be aware of. More considerable signs are if the person needs to make plans for the future and if they uncharacteristically buy weapons.
“These are warning signs if someone’s creating a plan of action. If you see them buy something lethal out of nowhere, that seems out of character for them. What’s scarier for many people is that they often don’t have plans; it just happens at the moment. That is where the support becomes critical,” said Curtis.
If you or someone you know is going through a hard time and is contemplating suicide, dial 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline. It is a 24/7 free and confidential support resource to help those in distress.