–Special Report
Los Angeles 3/20/2015 by
Pamela Harris, Contributor RBR Network
I recently read an article in Healthier You magazine (December 2014 Issue). The title was; Black Teens Especially Girls At High Risk for Suicide Attempts.
A lot of factual information that I didn’t know, like suicide among teens comes from middle class and wealthier families more so than among children from lower income households.
It struck me that children-especially girls from middle and upper middle class families-have far more pressure on them to succeed than children from families where there are low expectations.
I also didn’t know that certain regions in the Country see more teen suicides than others. It was of particular interest to me that in areas were there’s gloomy weather-like Seattle where I’m from-have more suicides than sunny, warmer environments like Los Angeles where I currently reside.
Was shocked to learn that seven percent of Black girls have attempted suicide at least once by the age of seventeen, as reported by the National Survey of American Life(NSAL).
Claudia Lacy’s son Lennon committed suicide
The Center for Disease Control in an Newsweek cover story classified suicides as an epidemic in America. Since 1999, every year there was an increase in suicides; a whopping thirty-percent increase in 2014 over the previous year.
Death by suicide has surpassed death by automobile accidents, homicides and any other forms of death outside of natural causes. This in spite of the fact that all deaths due the actions of humans are up.
Looking closer at the numbers, we passed 40,000 suicides in America since data was kept. Psychology Today reports African-American men between the ages of 25-29 are the most at risk for death at the hand of another.
While murder is not suicide the reasons are very similar. Western civilization with all its advancements in healthcare, technology, education and world influence has at some level failed Black teens.
We need to find a way to reach our youth before they kill themselves. Parents and teachers have the most responsibility and should not ignore the problem any longer.
Knowing the signs of suicide is essential to preventing suicide. Talking to young adults is the first step in helping a potential victim.
The National Center for Health Statistics, suicide is the third leading killer among all teens but Black teens saw an increase that out paced Whites as far back as 2008.
THE OBAMA EFFECT
Sadly, the data on Black teen suicides mysteriously dried up when the Nations first Black President was elected. It was reported widely and generally accepted that Black teen suicide was a major problem.
So what do we make of no data after Barack Obama’s election? I think its a good thing. We know Black violent crime is down as much as 80% same with the High School Drop Out Rate the Abortion Rate etc.
Layoff from a job can be a contributing factor.
While the reluctance of our ninety-eight percent Conservative Owned MSM to release updated post Obama suicide data among Black teens is encouraging, there’s still cause for alarm.
The NSAL survey conducted studies on Black teens in the Caribbean and found that their youth are only slightly behind Americans in suicides. Not a good sign if in fact the election of America’s first Black President doesn’t’ translate throughout the diaspora.
Signs To Watch For Include :
1)Wanting to purchase a gun.
2)Wanting to hurt oneself.
3)Cuts in skin made with sharp objects.
4)Isolation from others.
5)Long term depression.
6)Lack of sleep.
7)Drug use
Evidence shows teens have a negative reaction to rejection by parents, peers and society in general. This perceived rejection is a major factor in suicides.
Data reveals early education works. Schools should begin suicide prevention lessons as soon as possible.
In conclusion, we live in a world were humans want far beyond our basic needs. I don’t seek to change the nature of our society. We can communicate with our children. Simply engaging them goes a long way to solving a mountain of problems.
-Pam Harris
First Lady Michelle Obama Umatter Suicide Prevention
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