By Edward Henderson | California Black Media
There has been a sharp rise in suicide rates among Black and other youth of color in California and across the United States.
“Many people assume suicide is a White problem. In fact, suicide rates have increased faster for youth of color than for White youth over the past two decades,” says Dr. Kiara Alvarez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Alvarez recently made the statement during an American Community Media (ACoM) digital briefing on Generation Z mental health.
“One national survey found that more than one in four Black youth seriously considered suicide in the past year,” Alverez continued. “Suicide rates for Black girls aged 13 to 19 more than doubled between 2003 and 2020.”
Per capita, rates of suicide among Black youth are also increasing at alarming rates, according to KidsData.org.
Generation Z, individuals born between 1997 and 2012, are the most digitally engaged generation. More than 22% of those Gen Z young adults reported having a major depressive episode in 2023, according to data from the National Institute of Mental Health. And four out of in 10 children report persistent feelings of sadness.
While there is no single cause for mental health issues within the Gen Z populace, Dr. Ovsanna Leyfer, a licensed clinical psychologist, believes that growing academic pressure, sleep deprivation, gun violence, the impact of racism and other forms of discrimination, and, of course, social media are key factors. The rise in youth mental health symptoms has also followed the introduction of smartphones and social media platforms. And that includes platforms that use artificial intelligence.
“Social media platforms can lead young people down some very dangerous rabbit holes,” said Dr. Leyfer who also spoke at the ACoM event. “If a young person starts watching or engaging with content about eating disorders or self-harm, the algorithm will start feeding them more and more of the same. That can make a young person feel like this is normal and that everyone is doing it. It can also make it harder for a young person to stop.”
Samuel Gardner, 19, is an Oakland native and recent high school graduate who is keenly aware of the mental health issues and conversations defining his generation. Gardner spoke with California Black Media (CBM) about some of the causes he’s seen.
“I feel like, a lot of us are afraid to grow up. They look at other people’s lives on social media and try to compare it to theirs. ‘Oh, I need to do this, I need to get rich, I need to get a Lambo’ And so social media creates a false reality of people living a lifestyle that you don’t.”
Gardner also spoke to the difficult job market and the growing disillusionment among his peers surrounding the viability of attending college has attributed to depression and lacking purpose in life. He spent his first year after high school in the workforce and saw firsthand how it can impact a person’s psyche.
“My co-workers close to my age would always talk about how depressed they were. I don’t get how people do this for years and years. It’s just a lot more to life than just slaving away for a dollar. But some people my age are forced into that by having kids.”
While Gen Z’s issues with mental health have been well documented, Dr. Leyfer believes their exposure to information and conversation around it has uniquely prepared them to seek solutions.
“More young people are asking for help and accessing therapy. The most studied and effective therapy for youth is called cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. This is not just talking about your feelings. CBT teaches young people skills to deal with negative thinking, social anxiety, and more.”
Additionally, educators are going to be required to understand more about mental health before they can receive their license. Assembly Bill (AB) 1034, which was signed into law before the California Legislature’s summer recess, expands teacher training requirements to achieve a credential to include modules on mental health issues that impact young people.
“We need more funding for community-based organizations that understand youth culture and youth trauma,” said Dr. Alverez. “We also need more investment in training mental health providers who reflect the communities they serve. This is a systemic problem. But that means we can also build systemic solutions.”
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order increasing mental health support for young men and responding to the spike in suicide rates among that demographic.
“In California, men aged 15-44 die by suicide at 3 to 4 times the rate of women, often by firearms,” according to the Governor’s office.
California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said, “women and men face different challenges — but there are systemic barriers we can take on together. Whether it’s the shortage of male mental health providers, outdated ideas about care work, or boys falling through the cracks in school, this Executive Order is a step toward real solutions,” said
“Our young men and boys are facing a crisis of loneliness and social isolation that is showing up in their mental health, educational outcomes, future economic opportunities, and more. Raising healthy boys will take all of us — moms, dads, teachers, coaches, and mentors—working together to find new ways forward,” she added.
