"Is this really our problem?": a qualitative exploration of Black Americans’ misconceptions about suicide

Rates of suicide within the Black community are increasing. Rising rates, coupled with institutional racism, impacts how Black perceive suicide as a problem in their communities. This paper examines the misconceptions that Black Americans hold about the topic of suicide. The current project included...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: James, Tierra (Author) ; Spates, Kamesha (Author) ; Cureton, Jenny L. (Author) ; Patel, Sweta (Author) ; Llyod, Christina (Author) ; Daniel, Diamond (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2023
In: Deviant behavior
Year: 2023, Volume: 44, Issue: 2, Pages: 204-221
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Keywords:
Selbstmord
Selbstmordrate
Entwicklung
Umgang
Ethnie
Usa
Description
Summary:Rates of suicide within the Black community are increasing. Rising rates, coupled with institutional racism, impacts how Black perceive suicide as a problem in their communities. This paper examines the misconceptions that Black Americans hold about the topic of suicide. The current project included data from 25 self-identifying Black adults living in Northeast Ohio. We used a thematic analysis approach to data analysis. Through in-depth interviews, we identified five themes that highlight prominent misconceptions about suicide in Northeast Ohio’s Black community: (1) suicide is related to personal inadequacies; (2) suicide is not a pressing issue in the Black community; (3) clashing perceptions of Blackness and the mentally ill; (4) mentally ill and hopeless; and (5) suicidal thoughts are crazy and will pass. These findings and implications for professionals and for community leaders and members are discussed in detail.
Item Description:Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 218-221
ISSN:1521-0456
DOI:10.1080/01639625.2022.2026746