A recent report from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities revealed that suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people in the state, with Black youth experiencing the highest death rates.
According to WJBF, which references the state’s report, cited that African American youth experienced the highest suicide death rate in Georgia in 2023.
Nationally, the rate of suicide significantly increased among Black Americans between 2018 and 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.
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A study from the University of Georgia in 2024 revealed that being raised in an environment with limited resources and facing racial discrimination in early adulthood can hinder the ability to form healthy, trusting relationships. Deep mistrust and wariness toward others may result in social isolation, which can ultimately lead to thoughts of death and suicide.
“I think we often don’t look at where the disparities are and who the individuals most at risk are when we’re talking about suicide ideation,” Michael Curtis, co-author of the study, told UGA Today. “We just know it’s bad, and particularly among young Black men.”
“Historically, research has not invested a lot of time and effort in looking into what are the unique cultural contexts that make certain men more at risk for suicidal thoughts than other men,” Curtis said.
The behavioral health department report also cited that suicide was high among those ages 20 to 24, as they accounted for more than 60% of suicide deaths in Georgia in 2023. Suicide also ranked as the second leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14 and the third leading cause for those between 15 and 24 years old. In total, 249 Georgians under the age of 24 died by suicide in 2023.
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Experts highlight several contributing factors, including social isolation, reduced adult supervision, and lack of daily routine.
“Sometimes there are those signs, but other times you talk to friends or families and they say they did not see it coming at all,” Kevin Tanner, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, told WJBF. “It’s important to be a good friend, a trusted adult, and that person they can count on.”
The report points out that youth from single-parent households or unstable home environments face an even higher risk.
To combat the situation, Tanner said the state is working to expand 988 crisis centers and deploy mobile crisis teams that provide 24/7 assistance anywhere in Georgia.
If you or someone you know is thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 to connect with the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and speak with a compassionate, trained counselor 24/7. This service is free and confidential.
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