Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States and the third after African-Americans, aside from homicide and cancer.
However, Caucasians are twice as likely to commit suicide as blacks. On Feb. 2, R&B singer Houston, who had the hit song I Like That attempted to commit suicide in London, by trying to jump out a thirteen floor window and gouging out an eye.
Naja Taupin, and aspiring boxer, chosen to be on NBC’s upcoming reality show The Contender commited suicide on Valentines day by shooting himself in he head. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among African-American men ranging from age 15 through 24.
The suicide rate doubled among black men to an estimate of eight deaths per 100,000 people between 1998 and 1995. Since 1998, the suicide rates for men (16 percent) have decreased, while it has remained the same for females.
Although females are more likely to think about it, males are more likely to complete suicide. Among African-Americans, 65 percent of all suicide cases among those 15 through 24 years old were by firearms. Only nine percent of African-Americans find suicide acceptable compared to 28 percent of whites. As a result of its non-acceptance, African-Americans usually don’t talk about it.
There are many myths about why African-Americans don’t commit suicide, including: it only happens to middle-class Caucasians, African-Americans have too much pride to commit suicide, or that blacks never feel depressed.
Depression is one of the first signs of a suicidal person, as well as irritability, and changes in appetite and sleeping habits. Almost 60 percent of all African-Americans don’t consider depression a mental illness.
Fortunately for blacks, they show the lowest risk of suicides, other than Hispanics. African-American suicides may come off as a joke, but anything dealing with death is serious.