Elaniv Burnett was nine when police burst into her family’s home and held her father at gunpoint, assuming he was “intruding!” Traumatic, racist events like this are bad enough on their own – but they’re also killing our kids indirectly.
44% of American teens report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. From 1991 to 2017, suicide attempts by Black adolescents rose 73%, especially for Black girls – who face racism AND sexism.
Research shows that “wealth, education, and opportunity do not shield Black families from mental health issues,” so it’s also not a matter of just getting “out of the ‘hood.”
Young people experience racism directly – and also indirectly, when friends or loved ones experience the terrors of white supremacy. Disorders like ADHD can also contribute to depression or other interpersonal issues, increasing suicide risk.
And there’s another crucial factor we HAVE to address.
There’s still a stigma in our community related to mental health treatment. Older generations told us that “family business” shouldn’t leave the house – but that attitude is killing our kids!
Resources like Therapy For Black Girls, Therapy For Black Kids, and Hurdle Health prioritize Black mental health care and could help save lives.
We can’t afford to keep losing our children! Black youth deserve to feel loved and supported. We must all play a role in protecting our Black babies – mentally, physically, and spiritually.