Suicide among Black women is a heartbreaking and complex issue that has often been overlooked in public health discussions. Despite the cultural narratives of strength and resilience surrounding Black women, they face mental health challenges that are deeply rooted in historical and social injustices. These pressures, while hidden behind a mask of survival, can become overwhelming. When a Black woman takes her life, the pain doesn’t end with her—it echoes through her family and community, leaving lasting emotional and psychological scars.
A Growing Crisis: Suicide Among Black Women
For many years, it was believed that suicide rates among Black women were lower than in other groups. However, recent studies show that suicide rates among Black women, especially those between 15 and 24, have increased dramatically. From 2013 to 2019, suicide rates in this age group doubled, revealing a rising crisis that demands attention (Gordon, 2021). These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent the loss of daughters, sisters, mothers, and friends whose deaths devastate their families and communities. It is crucial to understand the factors contributing to this growing crisis so that effective interventions can be developed.
The reasons behind this rise are multi-faceted. Black women experience a unique combination of pressures related to race, gender, and social inequality. Often, there is an unspoken expectation that they must be strong at all times, suppress their emotions, and keep going, no matter the obstacles. While this “strong Black woman” narrative has roots in survival, it can also silence Black women’s struggles, leaving them feeling isolated and overwhelmed. The stress of navigating racism, sexism, economic hardship, and gender-based violence can lead to mental health struggles like depression and anxiety, which are often untreated or dismissed. A 2020 study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that Black women who faced racial discrimination were significantly more likely to have suicidal thoughts (Walker, 2020). This intersection of race and gender stressors points to the need for culturally sensitive mental health care that acknowledges these unique challenges.
The Heavy Burden of Silence and Stigma
One of the biggest challenges Black women face when dealing with mental health issues is the stigma that surrounds them. In many Black communities, there is still a perception that seeking help for mental health is a sign of weakness or failure. Instead of feeling free to share their struggles, many Black women internalize them. The idea of “pushing through” becomes an unhealthy coping mechanism, and asking for help may be seen as a betrayal of the cultural expectation of strength (Holland, 2018). This cultural expectation silences Black women’s voices at a critical time, increasing their risk of mental health crises.
This stigma often intersects with religion and faith. While churches can provide emotional and spiritual support, they can sometimes unintentionally contribute to the silence around mental health by framing struggles as a test of faith or character. Black women may be encouraged to pray or rely solely on their spiritual community instead of seeking professional mental health care. This delay in seeking help can allow mental health crises to worsen, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes (Boyd, 2020). Understanding how faith-based interventions can be combined with professional mental health services is key in creating holistic approaches that meet Black women where they are, both spiritually and emotionally.
Family Grief and the Ripple Effect
When a Black woman dies by suicide, her family is left to navigate a sea of conflicting emotions—grief, guilt, confusion, and often, a deep sense of shame. In many cases, families feel blindsided. They ask themselves, “How did we not see this coming?” or “What could we have done differently?” These questions can haunt them, leading to prolonged grief and even mental health struggles of their own. In the aftermath, families often grapple with cultural and societal expectations, which can prevent them from expressing their grief openly.
Black families often face the added burden of cultural stigma surrounding suicide, which can make it difficult to openly discuss the death. This silence can prolong the healing process, leaving unresolved emotional pain that affects family dynamics for years to come. Families may try to maintain the appearance of being “strong” for the sake of others, but inside, they are often struggling with feelings of failure and confusion. Open dialogue and mental health support are essential for families to begin the healing process, yet the cultural stigma often stifles this.
The Impact on Children and Future Generations
Children who lose a mother, aunt, or other female figure to suicide are left with an emotional void that is hard to fill. They may not fully understand the death and can be left with feelings of abandonment, guilt, or confusion. In Black families, where open discussions about mental health and suicide may not be the norm, children can grow up with unresolved questions and emotions. They may even internalize the message that showing vulnerability is dangerous or shameful, which can affect their emotional development (Smith, 2022). Without proper mental health support, these children are at a higher risk for developing mental health issues themselves, continuing the cycle of unaddressed trauma.
This intergenerational impact is one of the most devastating legacies of suicide. When grief is not fully processed, or when families are unable to openly discuss their emotions, the trauma can be passed down. Children in these families may be at higher risk for developing their own mental health challenges or having difficulty forming secure relationships. To prevent this, it’s essential that culturally responsive, evidence-based practices are implemented to support families and children in the aftermath of suicide.
Breaking the Cycle of Stigma
One of the most important steps in healing after a suicide is breaking the cycle of silence. Families need safe spaces to talk about what happened, process their grief, and heal together. However, in many Black communities, the fear of judgment or gossip prevents families from seeking help. Professional mental health care can make a huge difference, but many Black families do not trust the healthcare system, or they don’t have access to culturally competent providers who understand the unique pressures Black women face. For instance, programs like Healing Hurt People, a trauma-informed, culturally responsive intervention, have shown success in helping families navigate grief and trauma after violent events, including suicide (Wong, 2020).
Thankfully, there are increasing numbers of mental health professionals who specialize in helping Black families through these complex emotions. Therapists who are trained in addressing racial trauma and family grief can provide a compassionate and culturally sensitive space for healing. For Black women, therapy can be a space to let go of the unrealistic expectation to always be “strong” and to embrace vulnerability as a path to healing.
Culturally Responsive, Evidence-Based Practices
Supporting families after a suicide requires culturally responsive, evidence-based practices that acknowledge the unique dynamics at play. Some approaches include:
- Culturally Sensitive Grief Counseling: Programs like The Loveland Foundation, which provides therapy services specifically to Black women and girls, are essential in helping families process their grief in ways that are sensitive to their cultural experiences (Loveland Foundation, 2020). These services aim to break the silence and help families talk openly about their loss.
- Faith-Based and Mental Health Integration: Recognizing the importance of faith in many Black families, integrating faith-based approaches with evidence-based mental health care can offer a path forward. For example, mental health organizations working alongside Black churches to offer counseling services can help bridge the gap between spiritual support and professional therapy (Boyd, 2020).
- Family Systems Therapy: This evidence-based practice helps families understand how each member’s experience is interconnected. Family systems therapy acknowledges the deep emotional bonds within Black families and helps them work through their grief collectively, fostering open communication and healing (Smith, 2022).
- Group Therapy and Peer Support: Offering peer support groups where Black women and their families can share their experiences with suicide and mental health struggles can help normalize these conversations. Programs like Sista Afya provide community-based support, helping families find strength in shared experiences and empowering them to seek help (Sista Afya, 2021).
The Importance of Systemic Change
The solution to this crisis is not just about encouraging individual families to seek help—it’s about changing the system that makes it difficult for Black women to access the care they need. Historically, mental health services have failed Black communities. Black women are less likely to receive adequate mental health care compared to their white counterparts (American Psychological Association, 2020). The reasons for this include financial barriers, a lack of trust in the medical system, and a shortage of culturally competent providers.
To address this crisis, we need systemic change. Mental health services need to be more accessible and affordable for Black women. Healthcare systems must prioritize training providers in cultural competency so they can offer care that acknowledges the unique experiences of Black women. Schools, workplaces, and community organizations also need to play a role by normalizing mental health discussions and reducing stigma.
Conclusion: Finding Hope Through Healing
The loss of a Black woman to suicide is not just a tragedy for her family—it is a community-wide loss that calls for urgent attention. We must recognize that Black women, despite being symbols of strength, need the freedom to be vulnerable and to seek help when they are struggling. Families who experience the devastation of suicide deserve compassionate, culturally competent care that allows them to heal without fear of stigma. Only by breaking the silence and addressing both the personal and systemic barriers to mental health care can we begin to address this hidden crisis.
Shanika Lavi Wilson, DSW, LCAS, LCSW, is Associate Professor in Social Work at North Carolina Central University.
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Mental Health Disparities: African Americans. Retrieved from www.apa.org.
Boyd, R. C. (2020). The Role of Faith and Stigma in Mental Health for Black Women. HuffPost. Retrieved from www.huffpost.com.
Gordon, A. (2021). Why Are Suicide Rates Increasing Among Young Black Women? The Atlantic. Retrieved from www.theatlantic.com.
Holland, J. (2018). The Pressure of Being Strong: Black Women and Mental Health Stigma. Essence. Retrieved from www.essence.com.
Loveland Foundation. (2020). Therapy Fund for Black Women and Girls. Retrieved from www.lovelandfoundation.org.
Sista Afya. (2021). Mental Wellness for Black Women. Retrieved from www.sistaafya.com.
Smith, M. (2022). The Impact of Suicide on Black Families: Intergenerational Trauma and Healing. Black Mental Health Today. Retrieved from www.blackmentalhealthtoday.com.
Walker, R. L., Salami, T. K., & Carter, S. E. (2020). Discrimination and Suicide in African American Women: A Longitudinal Study. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(8), 875-881.
Wong, A. (2020). Trauma-Informed Care for Grieving Families: Healing Hurt People. Behavioral Health News. Retrieved from behavioralhealthnews.org.
