Black Men do suffer from depression. Black men do complete suicide. This is a real problem that must be discussed in society. For a long-time, we were told that we had to be tough. We were told that we could not “cry or feel emotional pain.” And finally, it was unimaginable that a young African-American male would take his own life.  Daily I am seeing more and more men with the “outcry” of depression.

The Background:

1. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America.
2. Approximately 50,000 Americans die per year from suicide.
3. Suicide rates have been steadily increasing the past ten years.
4. Suicide is more common among black males 25-30.
5. Rates for Black Males between 15-34 is higher than it has been in the last 50 years.

The Problem (Dr.O’s perspective)

•  The stigma still exist in our community against getting treatment
• Mental Illness is seen as a “weakness”
• Many are still underinsured
• Lack of competent cross-culturally trained providers
• Fear of the “unknown”

Case Study:

Mr.X is a 23 year old African-American male who has not yet shared with his mother his sexuality.

He is from a single parent home and never really knew his father. His realized around the age of 15 that he was attracted to the same-sex.  He acted out on his feelings after his Senior High School prom. Since then, he has had two relationships.  Both relationships ended after he began experiencing symptoms of “guilt and depression” secondary to his internal feelings. He was raised Pentecostal and his mother is a Pastor.  She preaches hard against homosexuality. He also recalls that she dismissed a choir director after she found out he was gay.  His depression has now become more intense and fleeting thoughts of suicide are also prevalent. His lymph nodes in his groin area are also swollen.

Questions: (please continue this discussion

 

on the blog)

1.  What should he do first?
2. Should he reveal his sexuality to his mother?
3. Do you think that he is at risk for suicide completion?
4. Does this story sound familiar?

Once again thank you for stopping by the blog.

Dr.O

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK

SuicidePreventionLifeline.org