According to the World Health Organization, as of 2022, over 700,000 people take their own life every year. There are likely twenty times that many people who seriously consider it.
But Black people don’t commit suicide, that is what white folks do! Nothing can be further from the truth. According to CDC suicide is more common among black males aged 25- 29, and among black females 15-19, than it is among whites in the same age brackets. The suicide rate for blacks aged 15-34 is now higher than it has been in more than fifty years.
Yes, black do people commit suicide: Rob Pilatus von of the group “Milli Vaniili”, was found dead at 33 from an alcohol and prescription overdose. Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend before going to Arrowhead Stadium and fatally shooting himself as team personnel tried to stop him. Singer Phyllis Hyman took her own life by overdosing on medication, and legendary Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius took his life due to his difficulty with Alzheimer’s disease. Yes, black people do commit suicide.
What does the Bible have to say about suicide, taking our own life must be the unforgivable sin? Suicides take place in the Bible the mortally wounded King Saul fell upon his own sword lest the Philistines abuse him further (1 Samuel 31:4). Judas is the only clear example of suicide in the New Testament (Matthew 27:3–10). Some consider Jesus’ death to have been a kind of suicide since he made clear: “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18). As the divine Son of God, he could only have been killed, by any means, with his permission. God is the judger of sin and when someone takes their own life it is our role not to judge but to be present and a comfort for the loved ones who survive.
Today, we are called by God to be part of the ark not the flood. We are called to be people who are not in the flood of negativity, disbelief and uncaring about the issue of suicide. We are called to know the facts, debunk the untruths, and to all we can to get folks the help they need so that suicide can be prevented.
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
For More Great Content Go To Marben Bland.com
