Suicidal behavior in African American individuals: current status and future directions

Historically, the rates of completed suicide among African American individuals have been relatively low. However, the past 50 years have witnessed a significant rise in suicide rates among this population. In an effort to understand this trend, this article reviews relevant demographic data and empirical and clinical findings regarding the clinical presentations of suicidal behavior among African Americans across the life span. The major psychodynamic, psychosocial, and sociocultural theories offered as explanations for the incidence and nature of suicidal behavior among African Americans also are discussed. It is hoped that this systematic review will lead to more meaningful empirical investigations of the myriad factors associated with the unfortunate increase in suicidal behaviors in this population.