Is it worth it African-Americans and suicide

To many, the act of suicide is viewed as a morally unforgivable crime against one’s self. Many members of the African-American community consider suicide taboo and subscribe to the myth that black people do not kill themselves.
“Life just isn’t that bad for me to be thinking about committing suicide,” said Juenesses Carmouche, freshman from Baton Rouge. “I think that suicide is a selfish act of violence because you’re not thinking about the people you’ll affect around you such as family and friends.”
There are others with matching sentiments concerning suicide in the black community. Yet statistically, there are a large number of black people whose overwhelming sense of hopelessness has taken them “over the edge.”
Suicide has been classified as the third leading cause of death among black youths ages 15 to 19. According to the Centers for Disease Control in 1997, there were 2,103 suicides throughout the black community. Of that number, black males accounted for 1,764 suicide deaths while black females accounted for 339. Records also show that for every black male who attempts to kill himself, three black females also attempt suicide. Annually, the number of suicidal deaths continues to increase within the black population.
There are several factors that contribute to suicide in the black community. Some claim that stressful living conditions due to poverty, racism and abuse and an overall rejection from American society make many African-Americans prone to suicide. Others attribute a cultural tendency not to seek assistance for mental health problems and an avoidance of discussing suicide to the growing number of African-American suicides.
“Many feel hopeless,” said Angela Williams, a counselor at the SU counseling center. “At that very moment when suicide is considered, they feel they don’t have any other options.” Williams went on to say that although many African-Americans and more specifically, many SU students are still closed to the idea of mental health services, there are many programs such as the Circle of Sisters support group, the Pre Midterm Stress Reduction Class, and various classroom presentations that take place to help deter depressive, suicidal notions.
“The counseling center is also free to all students and open from 8 to 5,” added Williams. “If a student feels they may be suicidal, we inform them of our responsibility in assisting them with their crisis.”
While many young people in society suffer from extreme depression and view suicide as an attractive escape from the problems of life, there are still many others who see better alternatives.
“I would never commit suicide,” replied Mindy Bennett, a freshman and secondary education major from Monroe. “Nothing is worth taking your life.”