SAMHSA’s Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative

SAMHSA’s Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative (BYPSI) was created by staff in SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) to address the growing rate of suicide deaths among Black youth and young adults. Utilizing mechanisms within and external to SAMHSA, the goal of the Black Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative is to reduce the suicidal thoughts, attempts, and deaths of Black youth and young adults between the ages of 5-24 across the country. The BYPSI team includes representatives across CMHS and collaborates with other Offices within SAMHSA.

Black Youth Suicide Data

From 2018 to 2021, suicide rates among Black youth ages 10–24 years increased from 8.2% to 11.2% (PDF | 99 KB), a 36.6% increase.
In 2021, for Black youth ages 10–24, suicide was the third leading cause of death.
In the last 25 years, self-reported Black youth suicide attempts increased by 73% (PDF | 1 MB).
From 2011 to 2021, the percentage of Black students injured in a suicide attempt increased, while other demographic groups had either no change or a decrease.

Strategic Directions

Developing Internal, Cross-Cutting Equity Initiatives
Promoting Best Practices
Providing Training and Technical Assistance
Increasing Community Awareness
Improving Monitoring and Evaluation

Last Updated: 08/04/2026