Addressing Urban BIYOC Suicide Through the Lens of Linked Fate.

Abstract

This clinical paper examines the influence of linked fate and shared recognition related to historical and contemporary discrimination on suicidal thoughts and behaviors among urban Black, Indigenous, and Youth of Color in the United States. Increased rates of youth suicide within the U.S. have raised concerns as suicide has become the second leading cause of death among children and youth. Racial and ethnic disparities persist, with more Youth of Color hospitalized for suicidal ideation and attempts than ever, even as they remain less likely to access mental health supports. The connections Youth of Color create to their communities, and the histories of their cultures may offer insights into what influences them to consider and attempt suicide and self-harm. In this paper, I describe how collective experiences of discrimination toward Communities of Color compounded with the deep-rooted history of discriminatory practices may affect youth's mental well-being and influence suicidal thoughts and behaviors and illustrate how Opara's Integrated Model of Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide may be applied through the lens of linked fate and shared recognition. A case example and clinical implications for mental health practitioners, such as adapting safety planning to include collective stressors and including therapeutic interventions that acknowledge the impact of collective trauma, are offered. This paper also offers implications for future research including the exploration of group-based prevention programs following publicized incidents of racialized trauma and examining how linked fate and shared recognition alter group identification and belongingness among Youth of Color experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.