Editorial: Racial Discrimination as a Stressor Related to Suicidality Among Pre-Adolescents

Suicide is a rising phenomenon among most racial, ethnic, and age groups in the United States.¹ The increase in suicide among Black preadolescent children is particularly concerning, with suicide rates now doubling those in their White peer group.² This increase has sparked an interest in understanding the specific mechanisms and causes contributing to suicide in Black individuals of such a young age to provide more tailored and effective interventions. Many factors are suspected to contribute to the increase in suicide rates among Black children, including racial discrimination, disparities in access to care, poverty, trauma exposure, and family and school problems.³ In addition, despite the number of important initiatives delivered through the mental health system, primary care, and schools, the rates of suicide among Black preadolescents have continued to increase, perhaps in part because of the absence of culturally relevant preventive interventions focused specifically on their strengths and needs.