New Research Shows One in Four Black Middle School Students Contemplate Suicide

A studyopens in new tab/window in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP),opens in new tab/window published by Elsevier, reports that approximately 28% of a national sample of Black middle school adolescents reported suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts. While previous research studies have investigated suicide among young adolescents, few studies have examined suicide risk specifically among Black middle school adolescents.

In conjunction with a post-pandemic national child mental health crisis, rates of suicide are increasing among early adolescent Black youth populations. This study investigated data from the 2019 Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey with a sample of 7,643 self-identifying Black youth to understand suicide prevalence rates and risk factors. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations between seven variables, including sex, weapon carrying, weight perceptions, grades, grade level, school bullying, cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts, were examined.

Findings revealed prevalence rates of about one in four Black middle school students for suicidal thoughts, one in six for suicidal planning, and one in ten for attempting suicide. Students who identified as female, victims of cyberbullying, carrying a weapon, or being very overweight experienced significantly higher odds of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts.

Co-authors Sonyia Richardson, assistant professor of social work and psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Laura Gunn, professor of epidemiology and community health and affiliate faculty in the School of Data Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, emphasized the urgency and need for cultural approaches to identifying and screening for suicide risk and protective factors among Black middle school adolescents to support prevention efforts.

Richardson highlighted that suicidal behavior in youth is an emergency: “It is important to proactively ask adolescents about suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts. Some adolescents may exhibit risk factors or conditions that increase their likelihood of suicidal behaviors, as highlighted in our study. For youth displaying any suicidal behaviors, further assessment is essential. It is unacceptable to wait until adolescents have developed a suicide plan or attempted to die by suicide to link them to resources. Instead, every family should be informed about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a free resource available to help those in distress.”

Given the high rates of suicidality among adolescents, experts believe a targeted approach is crucial to identify and address the root causes and predictors of suicide risk. Study researchers say policies should focus on the specific risk factors relevant to Black middle school adolescents, such as bullying (both in school and online), weapon carrying, and sex, while assessing feelings of safety. They also suggest that medical providers screen youth for acute suicide risk, including assessing ideation, planning, and previous attempts.

Notes for Editors

The article is "Factors Associated With Suicide Risk Behavior Outcomes Among Black Middle School Adolescents," by Sonyia C. Richardson, PhD, Laura H. Gunn, PhD(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2024.03.019). It appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP)opens in new tab/window, volume 63, issue 12(December 2024), published by Elsevier.

Copies of this paper are available to credentialed journalists upon request; please contact Sonyia Richardsonat [email protected] +1-919-986-2910.

About JAACAP

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatryopens in new tab/window (JAACAP) is the official publication of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. JAACAP is the leading journal focusing exclusively on today's psychiatric research and treatment of the child and adolescent. Published twelve times per year, each issue is committed to its mission of advancing the science of pediatric mental health and promoting the care of youth and their families.

The Journal's purpose is to advance research, clinical practice, and theory in child and adolescent psychiatry. It is interested in manuscripts from diverse viewpoints, including genetic, epidemiological, neurobiological, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, social, cultural, and economic. Studies of diagnostic reliability and validity, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological treatment efficacy, and mental health services effectiveness are encouraged. The Journal also seeks to promote the well-being of children and families by publishing scholarly papers on such subjects as health policy, legislation, advocacy, culture and society, and service provision as they pertain to the mental health of children and families.

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