You Don’t Have to Fall If You Tell Someone You’re Slipping
- Rashanda Belin
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
Let’s start with the hard truth: Suicide is rising among Black men, especially our boys and young adults. It’s growing fast. In fact, it’s increasing faster in our communities than almost any other group in the country. And yet, far too often, no one is talking about it until it’s too late.
We call them strong. Resilient. Hustlers. Leaders. Providers.
But rarely, if ever, do we give Black men permission to fall apart. To rest. To ask for help without shame. To say, “I’m not okay,” and be met with love instead of judgment.
This goes beyond feeling down; this is what it looks like when despair takes hold and there’s nowhere to turn.
According to Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism (Case & Deaton, 2020), the decline in hope, community, and economic opportunity has created a perfect storm, especially for men who are expected to “figure it out” on their own. Layer that with systemic racism, over-policing, generational trauma, and the never-ending pressure to succeed despite it all, and it’s no wonder that despair has taken root.
And the numbers reflect it. The CDC (2023) reports that suicide rates among Black males have increased dramatically in recent years, especially among those between 15 and 24 years old. A study from the University of Georgia described it as “alarming.” And it is.
But if you look deeper, the issue isn’t just the statistics; it’s the silence.
We don’t talk about it. And when we do, it’s too late.
Stigma around mental health remains a significant barrier in Black families and communities. Many are taught to pray it away, endure in silence, or drown it in accomplishments. Although this silence may sometimes be meant for protection, it can have dangerous consequences. Studies indicate that stigma and the absence of social support directly contribute to higher levels of depression and suicidality among Black youth (Lindsey et al., 2019).
And let’s be real: Many of our brothers don’t trust the mental health system, and for good reason. When care isn’t culturally competent or accessible, it does more harm than good. But that doesn’t mean healing isn’t possible, it just means we need to fight for better.
So, what do we do? We see them. We speak up. We show up.
We can’t afford to keep pretending everything’s fine. If you’re reading this, let this be your gentle push to:
Check in on your strong friend. The one who always has it together might be silently slipping away.
Normalize therapy. It’s not weakness, it’s strength, especially when the therapist understands your story.
Hold space. Let the men in your life know they’re allowed to feel. Allowed to rest. Allowed to say, “I need help.”
Because truthfully? You don’t have to fall if you tell someone you’re slipping.
Resources & Support:
If you or someone you love is struggling, please don’t wait:
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Available 24/7
Final Thoughts: Even in the weight of it all, I still believe in healing. I still believe in joy. And I truly believe that when we slow down and really see one another, we begin to shift the narrative. One life at a time.
Let’s keep choosing connection. Let’s keep choosing care.
Share this with someone who might need to hear it. You never know the difference it could make.
References:
Case, A., & Deaton, A. (2020). Deaths of despair and the future of capitalism. Princeton University Press.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). FastStats: Suicide and self-inflicted injury. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Suicide rates by race and ethnicity: United States, 2018–2021. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db464.htm
GoodRx. (2023). Why Black men are dying by suicide at higher rates. https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/black-health/suicide-rate-among-black-men
Lindsey, M. A., Joe, S., & Nebbitt, V. (2019). Family matters: The role of mental health stigma and social support on depressive symptoms and suicidality among Black youth. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.11.034
Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2023). Black populations and suicide. https://sprc.org/about-suicide/scope-of-the-problem/racial-and-ethnic-disparities/black-populations
University of Georgia. (2023). Young Black men dying by suicide at alarming rates. https://news.uga.edu/young-black-men-dying-by-suicide-at-alarming-rates
