Identifying and Addressing Youth Depression and Suicidality in the Black Church

For years depression and suicide were thought to be conditions that only adults experienced. Today, we are more knowledgeable and understand that youth are experiencing depression and suicide at alarming rates. Unfortunately, depressive symptoms in children and adults are equally debilitating and often result in suicide. Research asserts that African American children are twice as likely to commit suicide than their white counterparts. It is crucial to understand youth depression and suicide and the correlational factors that precipitate African American mental illness symptomology. Out of any other race, notably, African Americans are the most spiritual. The Black Church has collectively been the main source of support for this community. Understanding the stigma associated with mental illness, help-seeking behaviors, and the church’s impact on this population is essential to suggest future ways the church can effect change. The purpose of this study is to understand the unique factors that affect African American youth and catalyze increased suicide rates over the last decade. This study seeks to provide clergy with the information that will help them identify and address youth suicide and depression within the church and community.