Understanding and Addressing Racial Disparities in Suicide Rates

How do suicide rates differ by race and ethnicity?

Suicide rates are much higher in some racial and ethnic groups in the United States than in others.

The highest rates are among non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native populations — nearly four times higher than the rates among Asian American populations.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2022 reveals the following age-adjusted suicide rates:

But numbers don’t tell the entire story. Beneath these figures lie other emerging trends that reveal a bigger picture. And within each community, specific factors contribute to these disparities.

Suicide rates in American Indian and Alaska Native populations

American Indian and Alaska Native populations have the highest suicide rate among ethnic groups in the United States, according to the CDC. Still, that data may be incomplete due to cultural reasons.

Nearly three-quarters of American Indian and Alaska Native people who died by suicide in 2022 were 44 years old or younger. According to the Office of Minority Health (OMH), suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34 years in this population. The OMH also notes that high school students in this population were 40% more likely to attempt suicide in 2023.

These high suicide rates may have strong links to the long history of systemic oppression American Indian and Alaska Native communities have faced. Research from 2022 links suicides and suicide attempts in these communities to historical trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A 2022 study from the CDC found that American Indian and Alaska Native people who died by suicide were more likely than people of other races to:

• have alcohol use disorder
• use amphetamines or cannabis (but not other drugs)
• experience relationship problems or significant loss

Only about 2 in 5 had a diagnosis of a mental health condition. Experts think this may be due to a lack of accessible mental health services, particularly in rural areas.

Suicide rates in white populations

Non-Hispanic white people in the United States have a suicide rate a bit higher than the national average. This is largely due to higher suicide rates among white males 25 to 64 years old, particularly in those with a high school education or less.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, more than two-thirds of all suicide deaths in the United States in 2022 were white males.

Still, in 2022, white people were the only racial group to show a decline in overall suicide rates, dropping 3.9% from 2018. The recent decline reverses an 18-year trend of rising suicide rates among white U.S. residents.

Suicide rates in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations

Historically, people who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander have been grouped with Asian Americans for data collection purposes. But several distinct communities exist within these definitions. Acknowledging the differences may be key to understanding the disparity in suicide rates between these groups.

For example, a 2024 study found that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adolescents were much more likely to have suicidal thoughts than youth with Chinese or Indian backgrounds.

Researchers also found significant differences in rates between young people who identified with one race (Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander) and those who identified as multiracial.

According to a 2022 study, suicide risk factors for youth in this population include:

• a history of self-harm
• using illegal drugs
• experiencing bullying

Researchers also found that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island youth were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide than their white peers when depressive symptoms were present. Study authors say this stresses the importance of screening for depressive symptoms in this population.

Suicide rates in Black and African American populations

Suicide rates among non-Hispanic Black people in the United States rose 19.2% from 2018 to 2021, the second highest among any racial group. This was largely fueled by an increase in Black youth suicide rates, which rose 36.6% in the same time frame.

In 2021, Black high school students were 60% more likely than their white peers to attempt suicide. While Black people die from suicide at about half the rate as white people, the rates are almost equal among those 15 to 19 years old.

And while males account for about 4 in 5 suicides, including in Black populations, the rise in rates is highest among Black females ages 15 to 24 years.

A 2021 study observed key differences among varying age groups of Black youth with respect to risk factors and methods used. For example:

• In children under age 12, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was a significant risk factor.
• Youth ages 12 to 14 were more likely to experience relationship problems and attempt more lethal means.
• Youth ages 15 to 17 were more likely to have depression or more complex social problems and use firearms.

Experts recommend targeted approaches to reach the youth who most need care. They also acknowledge that Black youth are less likely to receive mental health care due to several factors, including access and stigma.

Suicide rates in Hispanic populations

According to 2017 research, Hispanic people often face stressors that are typical risk factors for suicide, such as socioeconomic challenges, migration, and discrimination. Still, Hispanic people in the United States die by suicide at less than half the rate of white people.

Researchers attribute this to two prevalent characteristics: religion, which plays an important role in many Hispanic communities, and familism, which is a cultural ideal that places family above self.

However, suicide rates have been rising steadily, especially among Hispanic females. Researchers also found that rates increased with later generations. For example, suicide rates are lower in the first generation of immigrants than in the next generation.

New immigrants still face unique challenges to their mental health. Among Hispanic immigrants and their relatives, a 2022 article notes that restrictive immigration policies, deportation fears, and anti-immigrant sentiment can contribute to worsening mental health and possibly an increase in suicidal ideation.

Among this group, risk factors for suicidal thoughts include:

• experiencing discrimination
• lower ethnic identity
• greater family conflict
• low sense of belonging

A concern in the Hispanic community is the lack of culturally competent mental health and suicide prevention programs. Language proficiency can often be a barrier, with 28% of Hispanic people in the United States not having proficiency in English.

Suicide rates in Asian populations

Asian Americans have the lowest suicide rates among major racial groups in the United States, though rates can vary significantly between subgroups. However, like with other racial groups, suicide rates among Asian youth are rising sharply, especially for females.

Research from 2024 found that Asian American people who die by suicide are less likely to have risk factors common in other racial groups. For example, they’re less likely to be male, married, or use alcohol or drugs. They’re also less likely to have mental health, relationship, or legal problems.

This can create challenges in identifying people who may need help. However, known risk factors in this racial group include:

• living in disadvantaged communities
• residential instability
• mixed race or ethnicity

A unique risk factor in this population, especially for women, is the model minority myth. This myth creates a false standard for success for many people of Asian descent and can be a significant stressor.

How can we address racial and ethnic disparities in suicide rates?

Some of the reasons for the racial disparities in suicide rates are deep-rooted and systemic.

Overcoming these challenges would not only require action and advocacy from family members, community members, and healthcare professionals but also structural changes from government, institutional, and corporate entities. These include:

• improving access to mental health services, such as strengthening telehealth services
• providing cultural competency training to mental health professionals
• improving racial and ethnic diversity among mental health professionals
• investing in targeted and equitable mental health and suicide prevention programs
• culturally adapting existing suicide prevention strategies
• increased funding for youth crisis intervention teams

Experts also recommend advocating for structural changes that improve economic and social conditions, which can have a significant effect on suicide risk.

In our own families and communities, we can be mindful of the unique risk factors that lead to higher suicide rates and facilitate atmospheres where people feel safe to talk about their mental health.

Read more: “My Friend Is Talking About Suicide. How Can I Help?”

Takeaway

Suicide rates have fluctuated over the years, but significant disparities across racial and ethnic groups have persisted. The widening gap in suicide rates, especially among young people, underscores the need for targeted, culturally competent suicide prevention strategies.

Awareness of the complex factors that contribute to the unique risk factors for suicide across diverse racial groups is an important starting point.