The tragic loss of #ReginaKing’s son, Ian Alexander Jr., is a stark reminder of how important it is to understand what is behind the disproportionate number of #Black men who choose to end their lives.
By Dr. Amanda J. Calhoun/The Op-Ed Project
#ReginaKing Receives Outpouring Of Love And Support After Son’s Tragic Death
Recently, actress and director #ReginaKing’s son, Ian Alexander Jr., only 26 years old, died by #suicide. While the circumstances around what took him to that point remain unclear, it is but another sobering reminder that young #Black #men are dying by #suicide at rates that are increasing faster than any other #racial/#ethnic group in #America.
In 2020, #suicide rates decreased for some #racial/#ethnic groups, but in #Black #youth, #suicide rates continued to increase—even in very young #children. Research from the Association for Psychological Science shows that #Black #boys as young as 5 are twice as likely to die by #suicide compared to their white counterparts,, and according to a recent study in Journal of American Academy of #Child and #Adolescent Psychiatry, from 2003 to 2017, the #suicide rate of #Black #boys as young as 5, increased every year.
And is it really any wonder? According to other research from the APS, #Black #boys as young as 5 are more likely to be seen as aggressive, and data from the U.S. Department of Education shows #Black boys are significantly more likely to be suspended than #white #boys for the same #behaviors, which feeds into the #school to prison pipeline. #Black #boys grow up to become #Black #men, and must deal with the #stress of #racism, which can cause depressive symptoms, thereby contributing to #suicide risk.
It is known that #Black #men have multiple barriers to accessing #mentalhealthcare. What is talked about much less is what occurs when #Black #men do access the #mentalhealthsystem. We need to start talking about the #racism exhibited by #mentalhealthproviders, and the ways in which the #mentalhealthcaresystem can do better for #Black #men.
As a #Black #psychiatrist, I firmly believe that #mentalillnesses are just as important as physical illnesses. But I have also personally observed, over and over again, the ways in which the #mentalhealthsystem alienates #Black #men, and I firmly believe that plays a role in the effectiveness of their treatment.
#James Donaldson notes:
Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.
Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.
Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space. #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book,
#CelebratingYourGiftofLife:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy#Mentalhealthtreatments are for the most part, not tailored to #Black #men, or #Black people for that matter. #Suicide predictor algorithms show poor sensitivity for #Black populations, and treatment is largely delivered by #white #mentalhealthprofessionals, who do not have the lived experience or training to help #Black #men navigate #racist spaces, where they are commonly made to feel that they must work harder than their #white counterparts.
If we want to improve the #mentalhealth of #Black #men, and reduce rising #suicide rates, in addition to encouraging #Black #men to seek #mentalhealth help, we need to also ensure that when #Black #men do seek care, that they are adequately helped. We need to hold #mentalhealthproviders, like #psychiatrists and #therapists, accountable for treating #Black #men with respect and dignity, instead of arrogance and disdain.
Once, I asked one of my young #Black #male #patients what he thought about therapy. “I hate therapy. I don’t need another #therapist who looks like Judge Judy looking down on me. Can’t you be my #therapist instead?”
I have heard this countless times, but as a #Black person, I make up less than 2% of #psychiatrists and less than 4% of #psychologists are #Black. The #mentalhealth system can do better for #Black #men, and that starts by investment in the pipeline of #Black #mentalhealthprofessionals, like #psychiatrists and #psychologists. We need to invest in having a #mentalhealthworkforce that racially reflects our #patient population and continue to support the existing #mentalhealthprograms that are tailored for #Black #men and the #Blackcommunity at large, such as the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, and Therapy for #Black #Men, among others.
But it goes deeper than that.
Additionally, non-#Black #mentalhealthprofessionals need to be proactively trained in how to monitor their own #racist #behaviors, so that they are not alienating #Black #male #patients when they do seek help. And if all else fails, #Black #men should be routinely advised how to reflect on their #mentalhealthcare experience, as outlined by #NationalAllianceonMentalIllness, and empowered to change providers if needed. Perhaps a #Black #man is not getting better because his #therapist is not treating him well, not because #mentalhealthcare doesn’t work—because it does.
But at any rate, it is high time for the #mentalhealthsystem to truly address #suicide in #Black #men. Their lives depend on it.
Dr. Amanda Calhoun is an #Adult/#Child Psychiatry Resident at Yale #Child Study Center/Yale #School of Medicine. She is also a Public Voices Fellow of the OpEd Project at Yale University.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
