Mental and Behavioral Health – Black/African Americans
In 2022, suicide was the third leading cause of death for Black or African Americans ages 10 to 24.1
The death rate from suicide for Black or African American males was more than four times higher than for Black or African American females in 2020.2
The overall suicide rate for Black or African Americans was 50% lower than that of the non-Hispanic white population, in 2020.2
Black or African American females in grades 9–12 were 60% more likely to attempt suicide in 2021 than non-Hispanic white females of the same age.3
Black or African Americans living below the poverty level, as compared to those over twice the poverty level, were twice as likely to report serious psychological distress in 2015–2016.4
A report from the U.S. Surgeon General found that from 1980 to 1995, the suicide rate among African Americans ages 10 to 14 increased 233%, compared to increasing 120% among non-Hispanic whites.5
Mental Health Status
Serious psychological distress in the past year among persons age 18 and over, percentage, 2023
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
11.4
14.2
0.8
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 2024. Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Detailed Tables. Table 6.86B. For the definition of “serious psychological distress,” see Appendix A.
Serious psychological distress in the past 30 days among adults age 18 and over, percentage of poverty level, 2015–2016
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Below 100%
7.6
12.1
0.6
100% - less than 199%
3.9
7.6
0.5
200% - less than 399%
2.8
3.1
0.9
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2019. Health United States, 2017. Table 46. For the definition of “serious psychological distress,” see Appendix.
Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or that everything is an effort, all or most of the time, among persons age 18 and over, percentage, 2018
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Sadness
4.2
2.7
1.6
Hopelessness
1.8
2.2
0.8
Worthlessness
1.7
2.3
0.7
Everything is an effort
10.9
6.5
1.7
Source: CDC, 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-7c.
Serious psychological distress among persons age 18 and over, percentage, 2018
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Male
2.6
2.7
1.0
Female
4.9
4.7
1.0
Total
3.8
3.7
1.0
Source: CDC, 2021. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview Survey: 2018. Table A-8c. For the definition of “serious psychological distress,” see footnote 1 to Table A-8c.
Major depressive episode in the past year among persons age 18 and over, percentage, 2023
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
6.5
9.1
0.7
Source: SAMHSA, 2024. Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Detailed Tables. Table 6.39B. For the definition of “major depressive episode,” see Appendix A.
Any mental illness in the past year among persons age 18 and over, percentage, 2023
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
19.4
24.0
0.8
Source: SAMHSA, 2024. Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Detailed Tables. Table 6.7B. For the definition of “any mental illness,” see Appendix A.
Death Rates
Age-adjusted death rates for suicide by sex, race, and Hispanic origin, 2020
Suicide rates by age, race, and Hispanic origin, 2019: Males
Non-Hispanic Black Males
Non-Hispanic White Males
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
15–24 years
18.3
25.6
0.7
25–44 years
20.0
36.0
0.6
45–64 years
11.9
38.3
0.3
65 years and over
8.9
37.6
0.2
All ages, age adjusted
12.5
28.0
0.4
Source: CDC, 2023. Health, United States, 2020–2021. Table SuicMort.
Suicide rates by age, race, and Hispanic origin, 2019: Females
Non-Hispanic Black Females
Non-Hispanic White Females
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
15–24 years
4.4
6.1
0.7
25–44 years
4.5
9.8
0.5
65 years and over
1.3
6.2
0.2
All ages, age adjusted
2.9
7.7
0.4
Source: CDC, 2023. Health, United States, 2020–2021. Table SuicMort.
Adolescents
Death rates for suicide: ages 15–19, 2021
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black/Non-Hispanic White Ratio
Male
15.1
17.7
0.9
Female
5.1
5.0
1.0
Both Sexes
10.1
11.6
0.9
Source: CDC. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). National Violent Death Reporting System. Violent Deaths Report.
Students in grades 9–12 who seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months, percentage, 2021
Adults age 18 and over who received mental health treatment in the past year, percentage, 2023
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
15.1
27.0
0.6
Source: SAMHSA, 2024. Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Detailed Tables. Table 6.21B.
Adults age 18 and over who received mental health treatment through prescription medication, percentage, 2023
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
7.7
20.6
0.4
Source: SAMHSA, 2024. Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Detailed Tables. Table 6.25B.
Adults age 18 and over with a major depressive episode in the past year who received treatment for depression, percentage, 2022
Non-Hispanic Black
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black / Non-Hispanic White Ratio
56.1
68.4
0.8
Source: SAMHSA, 2023. Results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Detailed Tables. Table 6.41B. For the definition of “major depressive episode,” see Appendix A.
