September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It is a time to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide, recognize the millions of people who have had suicidal thoughts, and pay tribute to the millions of individuals, families, and communities affected by suicide.

But it’s also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope. According to a recent study of women only, researchers from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Howard University identified black women aged 18-65 as those at highest risk for suicide, despite their socioeconomic status. The study also found that black women with the highest incomes were 20% more likely to commit suicide than white women with the lowest socioeconomic status.

“Our results were surprising because most studies tend to show that suicide rates are higher among white women in the U.S. However, when we start looking at the intersection of race and income, a different picture emerges,” explains corresponding author Temitope Ogundare, MD, MPH, clinical professor of psychiatry at the School.

So why do black women suffer so much from suicide, especially when we earn more than our female counterparts? Given that suicide rates have risen among black women and girls for two decades, this is not an economic problem. Instead, it stems from chronic racism, stress and burnout, and distrust of medical support systems like health care providers. Additional factors may include intimate partner violence, neighborhood violence, and a lack of investment from federal and state support systems.

Here are some more alarming statistics you should know, according to the World Health Organization:

• Every year, more than 720,000 people commit suicide.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 15–29.
• Seventy-three percent of the world’s suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is a significant risk factor for suicide in the general population.

Signs of suicide:

The following topics were discussed:

• Want to die
• Feeling guilty or ashamed
• They feel like they are a burden to others.

Experiencing feelings of hopelessness:

• Empty, hopeless, trapped or with no reason to live
• Very sad, more anxious, agitated or angry
• Unbearable emotional or physical pain

Change in behavior, e.g.:

• Creating a plan or finding ways to die
• Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away essentials, or making a will
• Taking dangerous risks, such as driving at very high speeds
• Shows extreme mood swings
• More or less food or sleep
• Increased drug or alcohol use

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, seek help as soon as possible, especially if the behaviour is new or has recently become more severe.

Contact 988 Suicide and Lifeline Crisiscall or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org

You can also send an SMS Crisis text linesend an SMS with the text “HELLO” to the number 741741.

You are not alone.