Suicide Prevention Month: Why We Need to Talk About Suicide in Black and Brown Communities

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness, challenge stigma and, most importantly, remind people that talking about suicide can save lives.

Suicide is not simply an individual issue. It is shaped by our relationships, communities, circumstances, access to support and the environments in which we live.

For Black and Brown communities, conversations about suicide and mental health can also be shaped by racism, discrimination, cultural expectations, stigma and experiences of services that do not always understand or respond to our lives and communities.

That is why suicide prevention must include racial equality and culturally responsive support.

The statistics tell us something important

In England and Wales, 6,190 suicides were registered in 2024, equivalent to a rate of 11.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Men continued to account for the majority of suicide deaths, with a rate of 17.6 per 100,000 compared with 5.7 per 100,000 for women.

Across the UK, Samaritans reports that 5,717 suicides were registered in 2024, with an overall rate of 11.1 per 100,000. The male suicide rate was 17.1 per 100,000 compared with 5.6 per 100,000 for women.

But when we look specifically at ethnicity, the picture is more complicated.

Research examining suicide in England and Wales found that suicide rates were lower in almost all minority ethnic groups than among the White British population, with important exceptions including people from Mixed-heritage backgrounds and White Gypsy or Irish Traveller communities.

However, lower recorded suicide rates do not mean that Black and Brown communities are free from suicidal thoughts, distress or unmet mental health needs.

So why does race still matter?

Because the circumstances surrounding mental health and access to support matter.

NHS England acknowledges significant racial inequalities within mental health services. Black and Asian people can experience poorer access to mental health services despite experiencing higher levels of mental ill health in some areas.

There are also stark differences in how people experience mental health services.

The latest Mental Health Act statistics show that people from a Black or Black British background were detained under the Mental Health Act at nearly four times the rate of White people in 2024/25 — 262.4 detentions per 100,000 people compared with 65.8 per 100,000.

This does not mean that every Black person has a negative experience of mental health services. But it does point towards wider structural inequalities that cannot be ignored.

NHS England has itself acknowledged that, for too long, the mental health system has failed Black and racially minoritised people, with evidence of care being more coercive and less therapeutic.

For some people, reaching out for help can therefore feel complicated.

The barriers aren't always about wanting help

Someone may be struggling deeply while still being reluctant to ask for support.

They may worry about being judged.

They may fear bringing shame to their family.

They may have grown up hearing that mental health problems should be kept within the family.

They may feel pressure to be strong for everyone else.

They may worry that talking about suicidal thoughts will result in being misunderstood, stereotyped or treated differently.

For some Black people, particularly Black men, expectations around masculinity, strength and self-reliance can make it particularly difficult to acknowledge vulnerability.

For some South Asian communities, cultural expectations, family honour, stigma and concerns about how mental health difficulties will be perceived can create additional barriers to seeking help.

For migrants and people from diasporic communities, there can also be language barriers, unfamiliarity with the UK healthcare system and fears or mistrust arising from previous experiences.

And for many people from racially minoritised communities, racism itself can be a source of distress.

Experiencing racism at work, in education, healthcare, housing or everyday life can affect a person's sense of safety, belonging and wellbeing.

NHS England identifies poor previous experiences, fear, language, transport, childcare and other practical barriers among factors that can contribute to inequalities in accessing healthcare.

These things matter when we talk about suicide prevention.

We need to move beyond "just ask for help"

Telling someone who is struggling to "get help" sounds simple.

But effective suicide prevention asks a more important question:

Can people access help that they trust?

Prevention means creating spaces where people can speak honestly before they reach crisis point.

It means making conversations about mental health normal — including within families, faith communities, workplaces, schools, universities and community organisations.

It means ensuring that mental health services understand culture without stereotyping people.

It means listening to people when they describe racism or discrimination rather than treating those experiences as separate from their mental health.

And it means recognising that culturally responsive care is not an optional extra.

People deserve to be able to seek support without having to leave their culture, identity or lived experience at the door.

Start the conversation

Suicide can be difficult to talk about.

But avoiding the conversation does not make suicidal thoughts disappear.

Sometimes prevention starts with something as simple as asking:

"How are you really doing?"

"You've seemed different lately — do you want to talk?"

"Are you feeling safe?"

"Are you having thoughts about suicide?"

Asking someone directly about suicide does not put the idea into their head. It can instead create an opportunity for someone who is struggling to tell the truth about what they are experiencing.

And you do not need to have all the answers.

You can listen.

You can stay with them.

You can help them find support.

You can remind them that they do not have to carry everything alone.

Suicide prevention is everyone's responsibility

September gives us an opportunity to talk about suicide — but the conversation cannot end when the month does.

Talking about suicide will not solve every problem. But silence can make people feel even more alone.

This September, check in on someone you care about.

Start the conversation.

Listen without judgement.

And if you are struggling, please know that you do not have to face it alone.

If you need support

Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can call 116 123 for free from any phone. You can also contact Samaritans through their website.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.

For urgent mental health support in England, you can also call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

You don't have to have the right words.

You just have to start the conversation.