Responding to the Alarm: Addressing Black Youth Suicide

Responding to the Alarm: Addressing Black Youth SuicideOverview: Over the past several years, there has been an alarming increase in the rate of suicide and suicidal behaviors among Black children and youth. Black youth under 13 are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their White peers, and the suicide death rate among Black youth has been found to be increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group. In 2019, the Congressional Black Caucus convened an emergency Taskforce to examine Black Youth Suicide and Mental Health. The Taskforce released its report in December 2019, highlighting several recommendations for increased research, intervention development, and community engagement. In collaboration with the Office of Behavioral Health Equity at SAMHSA, this 90-minute interactive roundtable webinar featured co-authors of the Taskforce report, including the leader of the Taskforce, answering our most pressing questions about Black youth suicide. Panelists discussed the latest trends and prevalence of suicide and suicide-related behaviors among Black children and youth and hear about the common risk and protective factors that are most salient for this population. The panel also shared their perspectives on this crisis and suggested some of the ways to identify Black children and youth who are at risk for suicide, how to best engage them, and provide them with developmentally and culturally appropriate support and care. Speakers: Rhonda C. Boyd, Ph.D. Associate Professor Psychiatry Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Michael Lindsey, Ph.D., MSW, MPH, Executive Director & Constance and Martin Silver Professor of Poverty Studies McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at NYU Arielle Sheftall, Ph.D. Assistant Professor The Ohio State University College of Medicine Moderators: Crystal L. Barksdale, PhD, MPH Chief, Minority Mental Health Office for Disparities Research & Workforce Diversity National Institute of Mental Health Roslyn Holliday Moore, MS Senior Public Health Analyst Office of Behavioral Health Equity Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration