Reducing Suicide Risk in Youth of Diverse Backgrounds

Recent research from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that about 37% of all high school students experienced periods of constant sadness or hopelessness during the past year, and nearly one in five had seriously considered attempting suicide during the past year. However, only 25% percent of children aged 12-17 report having received mental health services during the past year.

The rates of suicide among racial and ethnic minority youth show an alarming reality. In 2023, about 16% of Black and Hispanic high school students made a plan on how they would attempt suicide. 10% of Black students, and 11% of Hispanic students attempted one or more times that year. Between 2018 and 2021, age-adjusted suicide rates increased by 19.2% among Black people and 6.8% among Hispanic people. These disparities have only worsened since then. Although research is limited as to why this is occurring, youth of diverse backgrounds face many unique risk factors that may lead to higher rates of suicidal ideation, behavior and attempts.

Risk Factors

Increased stigma around mental health

Double stigma is a term that refers to increased discrimination an individual faces from two stigmatized social identities- being a person of a diverse background and having a mental illness. This increased stigma can make accessing resources and reaching out for help particularly difficult.

Lack of culturally sensitive resources and representative providers

It's hard to open up and relate to a provider that doesn’t look like you or understand your cultural background. There is a shortage of mental health providers that represent people of diverse backgrounds and many people may feel uncomfortable being vulnerable in that space. In 2018, 60% of the U.S. population was white and 40% racial and ethnic minorities. However, in the US psychology workforce, 84% of providers were white, while only 16% racial and ethnic minorities.

Racism, discrimination and microaggressions

In addition to explicit forms of racism, subtle acts of discriminations have shown to have long-lasting effects on suicidal ideation, self-esteem, and psychological distress.

Protective Factors

But with unique risk factors come unique protective factors. Protective factors are characteristics or behaviors that can help reduce the risk of suicide. Recognizing these can support youth at risk.

What Are Protective Factors?

Behavior or characteristic that decreases the risk of mental illness, reduces the effects of stress or improves mental health.

Social support

Many cultures emphasize the importance of family and community. Feeling like you are a part of something and having a sense of connection and validation from friends and/or family members are all protective factors against suicide. You can encourage your child to build strong connections with open communication and being a support system in their lives.

Religious identity

A spiritual identity can protect against suicide/mental health disorders as it provides a sense of purpose and a reason to live. Faith communities are often supportive and open to learning, and increased stigma/shame around the topic of suicide can be addressed with more informed mental health integration. Find more ways to advocate and destigmatize mental health in your community here.

Increased resilience

Youth of diverse backgrounds deal with stressors that others do not. These stressors can be harmful and racial socialization (teaching children about their racial or ethnic background) can aid in building resilience in youth. Communicating more positive messages around racial, ethnic and cultural traditions can directly impact children’s tolerance for distressing emotions. Youth of diverse backgrounds can also learn to deal with tough times in their lives in a meaningful way through positive racial socialization.

Many mental health organizations are making the effort to highlight the unique mental health conditions of youth of diverse backgrounds. Organizations like The Steve Fund, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide post relevant data, trends, and resources that are helpful for education purposes. Change can happen when we play into the strengths of this community. Emphasizing social support, engaging religious communities, and providing informed care during times of need can address the elevated risk of suicide and promote access to mental health services.

If you or your child need help due to having suicidal thoughts, call, chat or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or text the Crisis Text Line by texting "start" to 741-741. If there is an immediate safety concern, call 911 or go the nearest emergency room.