ADOLESCENT SUICIDE

Adolescent Suicide among Blacks

Adolescent Suicide among Blacks

Introduction

The psychosocial dynamics of black adolescent suicide are examined in light of the available literature and the authors' clinical experience. The authors contend that members of the medical profession who are in touch with the physical problems of black adolescents must become sensitive to the magnitude of the problem and assist with developing compassionate, bold, and responsible suicide prevention and treatment modalities.

Suicide is a tragic occurrence that is far too common in our society, but black suicide is particularly baffling and seems inconsistent with historical reports of black coping styles, culture, and religion. In fact, the suicide rate among young blacks has risen to a level that is as high as that of their white peers. I Nonetheless, the suicide patterns among black adolescents are noted to be strikingly different from those of their white peers. White suicide rates increase with age, while suicide peaks among youthful blacks and gradually declines in middle age.

Statistics on Suicide

Suicide is a major public health problem, and in 1983, 28,080 suicides were recorded, or 11.7 per 100,000 total population (National Center for Health Statistics, 1983). Suicide is the ninth overall cause of death in America, and this tragedy is compounded by heavy economic losses, family turmoil, and psychological stress for the survivors.

Among American teenagers, suicide is the third most frequent cause of death, irrespective of race, and it is not known how many "accidents" are completed suicides." From post mortem suicidal examinations, it is held by the scientific community that many accidental deaths, such as on car accidents and drowning, are suicides that are not recognized or reported as such because of the absence of definitive evidence. It is noted that less than 5 percent of motor vehicle accidents are recorded as suicides." Additionally, an earlier study of drivers aged 16 to 24 years strongly suggests a relationship between adolescent impulsivity and automobile accidents."

In Western society, the individual that elects to take his or her life for whatever reason is believed to be suffering from significant psychopathology. This issue is controversial with some civil-libertarians, who protest the labeling of suicidal behavior as mental illness and argue in favor of the' 'right to suicide," ergo the "right to die." Such a position is antithetical to the moral and ethical obligations of the medical profession, which are to sustain and improve the quality of life.

Suicide Statistics for Black Americans

The Bureau of Vital Statistics Scientific and Technical Information Branch report for 1982 lists the suicide rates for black men aged 15 to 24 years as 10.1 per 100,000 populations (National Center for Health Statistics, 1983). For black women, the rate of suicide for the ages of 15 to 24 years is 2.1 per 100,000 populations. For comparison, the rate of suicide for white men aged 15 to 24 years was 20.7 per 100,000, and for white women of the same age group, 6.1 per 100,000 populations (National Center for Health Statistics, ...