Historically, African Americans have had much lower rates of suicides compared to white Americans. However, beginning in the 1980s, the rates for African American male youth began to rise at a much faster rate than their white counterparts.

The most recent trends suggest a decrease in suicide across all gender and racial groups, but health policy experts remain concerned about the increase in suicide by firearms for all young males.

Whether African American male youth are more likely to engage in "victim-precipitated homicide" by deliberately getting in the line of fire of either gang or law enforcement activity, remains an important research question, as such deaths are not typically classified as suicides.

©2002 Laura E. Hansen, Counseling Notes, Odessa, Texas. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.counselingnotes.com/suicidal/suicide_faq3.htm

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