Suicide is the third leading cause of death among black youth, after homicides and accidents.

While Caucasians are twice as likely as African-Americans to complete suicide, the rate of suicide is growing faster among African-American youth than among Caucasians.

From 1980 - 1995 the rates of increase in suicide among black children 10 - 14 years of age (233%) and black teenagers 15 - 19 years of age (126%) years was greater than the increases than white children (120%) and white teenagers (19%).

From 1980 - 1995 the suicide rate increased 214% for 15-24 year old African-American males; it increased 93% for African-American females. However, since 1995, these rates have decreased 16% (1998) for males, while remaining steady for females (1998).

African-American females are more likely to attempt suicide but African-American males are more likely to complete suicide.

Firearms were the predominant method of suicide completion among African-Americans, accounting for 65% of all suicides among 15-24 year olds and 58% of all suicides among 25-34 year olds.

In 1998, African-American deaths certified as suicide occurred at the rate of 5 per day.