There is a crisis of Black youth suicide in America.

Even before the pandemic, marginalized youth, particularly Black youth were experiencing increasing rates of mental health problems and suicide. CDC data highlighted in a recent report to Congress from the Congressional Black Caucus shows the suicide death rate among Black youth is increasing faster than any other racial/ethnic group and that Black youth under 13 years are twice as likely to die by suicide than their white peers. We know that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown communities with higher infection rates, job loss, financial burdens and economic hardship, leaving Black and Brown teens at an even higher risk for negative mental health effects.

A Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health study conducted in the summer of 2021 amongst 516 U.S. teenagers found that Black teens were twice as likely as white teens to say they were not comfortable discussing mental health with anyone.

Inherent in Our Minds Matter's club model is a student leadership and membership base that is reflective of its school community, which helps to break down cultural barriers to addressing mental health concerns. In the 2021-22 school year, Our Minds Matter has prioritized its program expansion to schools with a large population of Black students - so Black students are equipped with peer-support that can increase their likelihood of reaching out and seeking help.

In celebration of Black History Month, Our Minds Matter is bringing awareness to Black youth mental health through our second annual Black Youth Minds Matter campaign. This month, we will be hosting a series of special events, sharing resources that support Black youth, and highlighting mental health professionals that are changemakers in their field. To join or follow along, click here.

Donate to help us empower Black students to reduce mental health stigma within their communities and encourage an environment of help-seeking and support so no more Black youth die by suicide.