E19 - ‘Brother, I Need Help’: Addressing Black and African American Male Suicide

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM CT

Location: 220/221, Level 2, ACCC

Moderator(s)

JL

Jana LeBert

National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Workshop Presenter(s)

Terence D. Fitzgerald, PhD, MEd, MSW

Consultant
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Richmond Hill, Georgia

Slides
AC

Alex Crosby, MD, MPH

Professor & Medical Epidemiologist
Morehouse School of Medicine
DeJuan White, MD

Medical Director Psychiatric Emergency Service
Grady Memorial Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia

Black and African American men have generally been reluctant to seek mental health treatment, as past acts of dehumanization and oppression have led to systemic racism and fueled distrust of formal systems. Suicide death rates among Black and African American people increased by 43% between 2010 and 2020 – the largest percentage increase of any group. This data is particularly concerning for Black and African American men, as the rate of suicide for this group has risen sharply. This session will address barriers around access, cultural stigma and strategies to improve care.

Learning Objectives:

Explore the correlation between childhood trauma and suicidality in Black and African American adult males.
Examine the role of stigma and its effect on help seeking behavior among Black and African American adult men.
Identify strategies to improve care for Black and African American adult men seeking mental health treatment.