Maia Niguel Hoskin Contributor
Providing provocative views on #racism, pop culture, and #mentalhealth.
Two devastating losses marked the beginning of this year. The death of an attorney, former #MissUSA, activist, and entertainment news correspondent #CheslieKryst and up and coming musician and songwriter Ian King Jr. He was also Academy award-winning actress Regina King’s son. Both died by #suicide, and both were #Black. The deaths of Kryst and King sent shock waves through the #Black community and fans alike. Both were young — #ChelsieKryst was only 30 years old, and Ian King Jr. had just turned 26, just three days before taking his life. Both were also successful and appeared to have the world at their fingertips. To add insult to injury, earlier this month 19, year-old college cheerleader #ArlanaMiller committed #suicide on May 5. Miller was a freshman at Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana who shared some of her feelings of severe #depression on #socialmedia before taking her life.
But sadly, Kryst, King, and Miller are not alone, and their upsetting deaths have shed light on an ongoing issue that has caused concern for members of the #mentalhealth field and #Blacks: increasing rates of #suicide in the #Black community. A recent study conducted by the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention found that although the overall rate of #suicide in the U.S. decreased by 3% in 2020, the rate of #suicide among #peopleofcolor and young people had increased. Similarly, the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality revealed that although #Black #adults reported lower percentages of #suicidalideation in 2021, rates of #suicideattempts among #Black #adults were higher than any other #racial or #ethnic group. Equally as alarming, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of Minority Health found that although Whites continue to have higher rates of #suicide, in 2019, #suicide was the leading cause of death among #Blacks between 15 and 24 years of age.
Many in the #mentalhealth field are beginning to question what’s behind the alarming increase in #suicide among #Black #Americans, and research has pointed to five contributing factors.
1. Exposure to #racism and anti-Blackness
It’s no secret that #Blacks overwhelmingly experience various forms of #racism and discrimination more than other #racial and #ethnic groups. The horrific murder of #GeorgeFloyd in 2020 sparked nationwide protests against #racism and anti-Blackness. But the sad truth is that #GeorgeFloyd’s murder was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the malignancy of #racism in the U.S. #Black people have endured ongoing experiences with #racism and discrimination for centuries. Floyd’s murder served as a tipping point for increased #anxiety and #depression related to #racism for many #Blacks. Research has found that frequent exposure to #racism and discrimination can make a person more likely to experience #depression, #anxiety, and other symptoms associated with #PTSD.
2. Continued Exposure to Violent Crime, Violence, and Accumulated Trauma
Although not all #Black people live in impoverished or physically dangerous environments, due to various social issues such as structural #racism, research suggests that #Blacks experience disproportionately high numbers of poverty, #homelessness, and exposure to violence and violent crimes. Like #racism, continued exposure to violence can play a role in the increased number of suicides that we are observing among #Blacks. Being surrounded by violence and living in communities with increased numbers of violent crimes is a significant aspect of trauma that can cause other adverse #mentalhealth concerns that can make a person more likely to experience thoughts of #suicide.
#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,
Celebrating Your Gift of Life:
From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
The pervasive nature of #socialmedia is undeniable, and almost everyone either has or knows someone who has multiple #socialmedia accounts. Social media has pushed “keeping up with the Jones’” to another level. Our society has become incredibly voyeuristic, and research suggests that the pressures of living life on #socialmedia can lead to increased risks of #suicide among #Blacks.
4. Existing #Stigma and Myths About #MentalHealth In The #Black Community
Existing #stigma about #mentalhealthchallenges and seeking help from #mentalhealthprofessionals is also contributing to increasing #suicide rates in the #Black community. Helping-seeking #behavior is sometimes viewed as a weakness or admission of being “crazy” in #Black communities. Society has created and maintained unrealistic messages and images of resilience and superhuman psychological and emotional fortitude that many #Blacks internalize and feel that they have to live up to — for example, the myth of the strong #Black #woman.
#Mentalhealth #stigma can also lead to #Blacks repressing their symptoms and miseducation about #mentalillness and #suicide — suggesting that #Black people do not experience either.
5. Untreated #MentalHealthIllness
Research suggests that untreated #mentalillness is one cause of increased #suicide rates among #Blacks. Multiple reasons cause psychological and emotional challenges in the #Black community to go untreated. As previously mentioned, the existing #stigma about #mentalhealthchallenges and speaking with a #mentalhealthprovider is one cause for members of the #Black community to ignore symptoms and for them to ultimately go untreated. Lack of access to quality medical insurance and education about how to locate a local #mentalhealthprovider
Experts in the #mentahealth field are pushing for additional research on this topic that more comprehensively examines the intersecting causes of the increase in #suicide among #Blacks. The harmful effects of #socialmedia use, exposure to #racism, #mentalhealthstigma, and exposure to violence and accumulative trauma play a potential role in increased #suicide rates among #Black #Americans. Still, we must continue to dig deeper to learn more. We must also begin to reframe how we look and talk about #mentalhealthissues in the #Black community to help combat potential bias among #mentalhealthproviders and address #mentalhealthstigma in the #Black community.
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
