Growing up in Black households, some sayings linger. They persist across generations and counteract interventions that promote healing. Even though the literature states that African Americans die by suicide, there is still the myth in some households that ‘Black folks don’t kill themselves.’
I can assume various reasons for why there has been a history of a lack of identifying suicide as something that could impact African American households. Race is a social construct that presents multiple challenges and undergoes constant changes.
Trawalter and Hoffman (2015) speak to the racial bias in the perception of pain.
Religion and theory
Historically, religion has served as a cornerstone of support in the Black community. It has also encouraged another narrative that conflates death by suicide with sin.
Some theories state otherwise. One theory is the interpersonal theory of suicide. It suggests that individuals who feel they are a burden to others and experience social alienation may feel suicide is the best solution for them.
Another theory is the impact of psychopathology. Individuals impacted by mood disorders, psychotic disorders, depression, and substance misuse can experience significant challenges with suicidal thoughts.
There is a theory connected to eroticism, where sexual acts engaged in for pleasure can lead to death, specifically asphyxiation. There is also the theory of revenge, where an individual may feel that their death will end the challenges posed by another person.
Acknowledge and define
How do we find solutions for something that we are not willing to acknowledge? Going back to the opening statement, words and responses matter. When someone, regardless of their social identities, makes a statement about not wanting to be here, we must take it seriously.
In this current climate, we should not assume that others, especially children, are incapable of experiencing overwhelm and hopelessness. The rate of suicide amongst children, according to the CDC 2021, is 15%, and they too can experience feelings of not wanting to be alive.
There must be an exploration of systemic issues in connection with feelings of hopelessness. A livable wage, affordable cost of goods, reasonable childcare, and home prices are all macro-level concerns that impact us individually in a major way.
While individual intervention is necessary, there is also the very relevant conversation of what is occurring on the local, regional, and national levels. Healing occurs in the community.
One of the African-centered social work perspectives emphasizes the importance of connection and interdependence among individuals. Multigenerational interventions are effective because conversations can flow in multiple directions, allowing for experiences and feelings to receive validation. This approach can help alleviate the shame and fear of some individuals, which enables them to suffer silently in isolation.
Language Nuances
Language matters. Just as we replaced ‘committed suicide’ with ‘died by suicide’ to remove criminal connotations, it’s important to tell our stories involving trauma. African-centered social work encourages storytelling. As we listen and share, we hold space and reclaim power.
Sometimes, the traditions passed down from one generation to the next can create barriers to healing. The Office of Minority Health (2025) report indicates suicide as the third leading cause of death for Black or African Americans aged 15-34 years old.
The answer is not black, white, brown, or any other racial, historical, or social marker indicating groups of people. Life is not an easy path. It requires intervention on multiple levels and begins with the stories we tell ourselves.
Dr. Alicia Tetteh
Dr. Alicia Tetteh, LCSW, RYT-200 identifies as a change agent and resides in Norfolk, VA. She
attended Virginia Commonwealth University for her undergraduate degree and Howard
University for her Master’s degree—both in Social Work. She matriculated through Simmons
University and received her Doctorate in Social Work. Dr. Tetteh sits at the intersection of
academia and clinical practice. She is an Assistant Professor at Norfolk State University and
owner of Building Endurance PLLC. Dr. Tetteh believes we all have the choice to change and
believes firmly in her faith. Her platforms include anti-racist practices, authenticity, financial
social work, and healthy relationships.
References
Bray, S.R., McLemore, M.R. (2021). Demolishing the myth of the default that is killing black mothers. Frontiers in Public Health. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.675788/full
Center for Disease Control. (2025). Suicide data and statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
Office of Minority Health. (2025). Mental and Behavioral Health in Black/African American. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/mental-and-behavioral-health-blackafrican-americans
