Suicides: Black Men & Mental Health – RIP Jett Jackson

The statics I’ve found regarding African-Americans and mental health issues are astounding and can’t be summed up in this blog; however I’ll do my best to address the issue tactfully. This week’s news of Jett Jackson taking his life was another shocking blow to those of us who remember him from his Disney show, The Famous Jett Jackson, Friday Night Lights, or from his most recent tv roll, Rizzoli & Lyles. The handsome, twenty-nine year old actor didn’t leave a suicide letter, so as of right now we have no idea what this young man was going through at the time.

What stands out for me is the number of African-American males in the entertainment industry and in our own communities who have decided that THIS is their last resort. Let’s think back just over the past two years – Capital Steez, of Joey Bada$$- ProEra Crew, only days after releasing the group’s mixtape, killed himself on Christmas Eve. Freddy E, rumored to have been distraught over a failed relationship with another artist/girlfriend Honey Cocaine, used Twitter to announce “If there’s a God then He’s calling me back home. This barrel never felt so good next to my dome. It’s cold & I’d rather die than live alone.” Or, how about Violator Manager and Hip-Hop pioneer, Chris Lighty, who pioneered the careers of 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, N.O.R.E., Q-Tip, Mariah Carey and Diddy, who shot himself in the head after an argument with his ex-wife and apparent stress from financial issues. Also, Jovan Belcher, linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, killed his girlfriend before taking his own life in front of the stadium where his team was scheduled to practice that day. We can continue this list with Don Cornelius, Junior Seau and so on.

I’m sure anyone reading this post right now can think of someone who has committed this violent act against themselves, and we all think: “What could have been so bad to make someone take their own life?” – this is a question that can never be answered, however there are some issues here that can be addressed if African American men would take some time to be honest about their mental health.

In an article that was recently published on HipHopwired.com, a common factor in each of these cases according to Dr. Shirley Molock, who co-authored a study based on suicide prevention for black youth – “there may have been a level of depression that either went completely unnoticed, or wasn’t taken seriously. Men in general don’t seek health treatment.”

Check out some of these troubling statistics:

• Suicide rate of black men are 4Xs that of black women, but 60% lower that white males
• As with all racial groups, African American females were more likely than males to attempt suicide and African American males were more likely to complete suicide.
• Suicide was the third leading cause of death among African American youth (ages 10-19), after homicides and accidents.
• Although Caucasian youth are twice as likely as African American youth to complete suicide, the rate of suicide is growing faster among African American youth than among Caucasian youth.
• Firearms were the predominant method of suicide among African Americans regardless of gender and age, accounting for roughly 50.4% of all suicides.
• Poverty level affects mental health status. African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, are 3 times more likely to report psychological distress.
• African Americans are 20% more likely to report having serious psychological distress than Non-Hispanic Whites.
• Non-Hispanic Whites are more than twice as likely to receive antidepressant prescription treatments as are Non-Hispanic Blacks.

MOST IMPORTANTLY – WHAT CAN WE ALL DO TO HELP?!

• DON’T BE AFRAID OR ASHAMED TO SEEK HELP!!
• Recognize warning signs and help a friend or family member get professional help.
• Help remove the stigma and myths that suicide contradicts gender and cultural role expectations:
  • Religious stigma of suicide as the “unforgivable sin”;
  • African American men are macho and do not take their own lives;
  • African American women are always strong and resilient and never crack under pressure.
  • Remove barriers to treatment.
  • Improve access to mental health treatment.
  • Remove stigma associated with mental health treatment.
  • Increase awareness in cultural differences in the expression of suicidal behaviors:
    • African American are less likely to use drugs during a suicide crisis;
    • Behavioral component of depression in African Americans is more pronounced;
    • Some African Americans express little suicide intent or depressive symptoms during suicidal crises
  • Develop liaisons with the faith community.
  • If you or someone you know is suicidal, please contact a mental health professional or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Or Contact any of the following:
    • American Association of Suicidology – www.suicidology.org
    • National Organization for People for Color Against Suicide www.nopcas.com
    • National Center for Injury Prevention and Control www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars
      • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
      • I’m Alive – www.imalive.org
      • The Trevor Project – www.thetrevorproject.org
      • Grad Resources – 1-800-472-3457
      • Vet2Vet (veterans crisis hotline) – 1-877-838-2838

Like I said earlier, there so much to be said….

Sources:

Hiphopwired

US Dept of Health & Human Services

USDH&HS – Minority Health

Suicidology