By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Suicide is taking a growing toll on Black men, and health experts say the warning signs are too important to overlook.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 48,824 people died by suicide nationwide in 2024. Men continue to face the greatest overall risk: the male suicide rate was nearly four times the female rate. In the CDC’s 2022 National Violent Death Reporting System, the suicide rate among Black men was 15.1 deaths per 100,000, compared with 3.5 among Black women.
Researchers studying Black male suicide point to a complicated mix of factors, including mental-health stigma, racism and discrimination, economic pressures, limited access to culturally responsive care and expectations that men should remain strong or silent during emotional distress.
That silence can be dangerous.
Warning signs may include talking about hopelessness or feeling like a burden, withdrawing from family and friends, dramatic mood changes, increased alcohol or drug use, giving away important possessions or saying goodbye unexpectedly. Not everyone shows the same signs.
In Alabama, the Department of Public Health has also highlighted the wide suicide gap between men and women and encourages men to treat mental and emotional health as part of routine health care.
Family members and friends can help by checking in, listening without judgment and taking statements about suicide seriously. Asking directly whether someone is thinking about suicide does not “put the idea” in a person’s mind and can open the door to help.
Anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental-health crisis can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day.