Black suicides spike amid pandemic
Johns Hopkins study finds higher death rate among African American community during early lockdown
During the earlymonths of the coronavirus pandemic last spring, experts and doctorsworried about the mental health toll of so many losses, from isolation to layoffs and deaths. Some predicted theremight be an increase in suicides. Now, in what is believed to be one of the first studies of its kind, JohnsHopkins researchers who examined deaths acrossMaryland have found evidence of a rise in suicides— and also of the inequities between Blacks and whites.
In the study, published Tuesday in JAMAPsychiatry, the researchers determined that among Black residents, suicide deaths appeared to double the recent historical average in one key period— from March 5, the dateMaryland declared a state of emergency and shut down, until May 7, when the first public spaceswere reopened. During the same time, scientists found that the suicides among whites appeared to drop by half.
Dr. PaulNestadt, co-director of the JohnsHopkins Anxiety Disorders Clinic, led the study, which involved researchers fromthe JohnsHopkins School ofMedicine, JohnsHopkins Bloomberg School of PublicHealth and the state Office of the ChiefMedical Examiner. They looked at 1,079 deaths by suicide recorded across Maryland fromJanuary 2017 until July 7.
“This year, closures, economic impact and the number of people in the African American community who have been on the front lines and have not had the resources for child care, or do not have a job that affords them towork remotely, can cause a lot of stress,” Nestadt said. “I think the bottom line iswe are not in the same boat, andwe do not have the same economic cushion. Some are feeling these stresses more than others.”
Suicide numbers among Black residents returned to the normal range as restrictions began being lifted, according to the study. Researchers noted while the numbers are small and should be interpreted cautiously, they highlight the importance of identifying high-risk groups early.
The study offers more evidence of COVID-19’ s disproportionate impact on the Black community. According to the COVID Tracking Project, Black people are dying of illness caused by the coronavirus at 1.8 times the rate of white people. Black people also are more likely than white people to have essential, front-line jobs and aren’t able towork remotely.
With the number of coronavirus cases continuing to spike, Nestadt said he fears another increase in suicides. On Tuesday, The Sun reported more than 2,400 new COVID cases and 61more deaths, the most fatalities in one day sinceMay.
“We are entering a bigger peak where COVID rates are four to five times higher,” Nestadt said.“We need to have more financial support in place, if something isn’t donewe may see [the increase] again.”
The researchers noted that the decrease in suicides among whiteswas unexpected. They theorized it may have been because white residents may have had a greater ability to do remotework and because they received greater benefits fromgovernment relief programs.
Newly elected Baltimore City Council PresidentNickMosby said thatCOVID has exacerbated the preexisting socioeconomic hardships that many in the Black community face.
“It’s one of the underbellieswe don’t talk about,” saidMosby, noting that the loss of jobs, inability towork remotely from home and financial instability are all stressors on mentalwellness.
He said even trying to get help during the pandemic has been tough.
“Peoplewould have [unemployment] applications in for months, they’dwait to speak with someone on the phone for hours, with no one on the other end to answer, and meanwhile bills continued to pile up,” saidMosby, adding that there is a stigma around mental health issues in the Black community, which has not helped.
He isworried about howdifficult things will be this winter.
“This is a tough time. This is the holidays, and people are laid off,” Mosby said.
Mosby said he and others plan to dig deeper into this data and look at other factors including age and gender, so they can target solutions for the city’s most vulnerable residents.
The Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway, senior pastor of the historicUnion Baptist Church inWest Baltimore, saidCOVID is unveiling an unfortunate new normal for many people.
“COVID is saying every day, there is a loss of life, someone is sick in the hospital, and you are potentially the victim to this unseen virus,” Hathaway said.
He added that in this confusing time, people have a lot of questions, but sometimes lack reliable resources— and that can cause despair. He believes the solution is in howpeople talk to one another.
“We have to be fragile with our language and interactions,” Hathaway said. “How you treat one another during this time is important, youmay encounter a victim of
trauma and trigger feelings such as ‘No one cares about me.’”
Rates of mental illnesses in AfricanAmericans are similar to the general population, but African Americans often receive poorer quality of care and lack access to culturally competent care. According to the American Psychiatric Association, only one in three African Americans who needs mental health care receives it. There are also few Black mental health providers.
But studies have found there are effectiveways to help people who have considered suicide— like getting treatment and support.
EdgarK. Wiggins, who founded and directs Baltimore Crisis Response, a citywide crisis and hotline program, said its workers are seeing the stress from their callers.
“COVID is a beast that is changing life aswe knowit,” Wiggins said. “You can’t turn on the TV without seeing people who are sick or losing their jobs and are all of a sudden in need of food assistance.”
He added: “To say I’m concerned is an understatement.”
Although the vaccine offers a light at the end of the tunnel, people will need to continue to observe restrictions until the vaccine is widely distributed, Wiggins said. He emphasized that even though it’s trying to be in isolation, people don’t have to
endure the stress alone: “There are people who are available and want to talk to you.”
Warning signs of suicide
■ Talking aboutwanting to die
■ Talking about being a burden, or feeling trapped
■ Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
■ Sleeping too much or too little
■ Withdrawing or feeling isolated
What you can to do help
Do not leave the person alone Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects
Call theHere2Help free, confidential crisis hotline at 410-433-5175.
■ TextHELLOto 741741 for free, 24/7, confidential emotional crisis support.
■ Call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-2738255
Source: Recommendations fromconsensus statement of public health and international suicide prevention experts led by SAVE