Last year, America mourned the tragic suicides of two Black men who were celebrated for their exceptional talents and renowned for their achievements in the entertainment world and their links to Hollywood. Away from national headlines, tens of thousands of families across the United States are grieving over loved ones who took their own lives – with men outnumbering women four to one as states across the country – including California – report alarming suicide rates every year.
Among Black Americans, suicide has a unique impact on Black men. Data from the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission indicates that the suicide rate for Black individuals in California rose by 31.1% between 2010 and 2019, a substantial increase compared to other ethnic groups. Etienne Maurice, the founder, and CEO of WalkGood LA, a community wellness-focused organization based in Los Angeles and led by Black and Brown individuals, explained how unchecked traumas can take hold of someone's life and spiral out of their control. One of the goals of WalkGood's monthly event, titled YouGood, is to create a safe and supportive community for Black men, who have been conditioned to exhibit stoicism from a young age, to initiate the process of healing from the historical and daily traumas they have experienced. The event brought in 181 Black men to participate in guided yoga, meditation, journaling, and exercises designed to encourage expressing their feelings. Rodrigo A. Byerly, President and CEO of EVITARUS, California’s only Black-owned-and-led public opinion and market research firm, pointed to a need for greater education and resources at our fingertips to cope with stress in all of its forms in life. Meanwhile, Shakari Byerly, Managing Partner and Principal Researcher at EVITARUS pointed to racism and social unrest as a potential explanation for the alarming increase in suicide rates among non-Hispanic Black people. Dr. Kristee Haggins, Executive Director of Safe Black Space, said that while disproportionate violence targeting Black people is not new, the level of exposure to incidents of anti-Black violence has increased. The repeated, highly publicized murders of Black men – specifically the murder of Ahmaud Arbery – inspired Maurice to build his organization, stating that he started WalkGood to "fight for Black lives." Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network, advises those struggling with suicidal ideation to reach out to people close to them, utilize resources in the community, such as churches, and call 988 if they are experiencing a crisis. Although the rising suicide rate among Black men is tragic and unsettling, advocates are working on challenging the stigma of emotional vulnerability and creating safe spaces for healing and community building. |
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