Why Are Young Black Men Are Dying by Suicide at Alarming Rates—And the World Doesn’t Care?
By Dr. Ifeanyi Ufondu
Clinical Psychologist | Founder, BroKin Mental Health Solutions
America’s Leading Voice in Culturally Competent Mental Health Advocacy
“We scream in silence because no one listens when we cry in color.”
– Dr. U
America, We Have a Crisis
The numbers don’t lie—but America still looks away.
According to the CDC, suicide rates among Black youth have surged by more than 60% in the past two decades. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for Black boys ages 10–24. These aren’t just numbers—they are the stolen lives of our sons, our students, our brothers, our athletes.
And yet, the response remains muted—both systemically and socially.
One of the most tragic examples is Kyren Lacy.
When “Strong” Still Dies: The Case of Kyren Lacy
Kyren Lacy was everything America said a young Black man should be.
A 6-foot-2 wide receiver at Louisiana State University, he was built like a star—broad-shouldered, high performing, and full of potential. He had a love for Buffalo Wild Wings, a quiet smile that barely hinted at the storm within, and a future so bright that NFL scouts predicted he’d go as early as the second round of the draft.
Instead, Kyren died by suicide at the age of 24.
He was buried on the final day of the NFL draft—the very day that should have celebrated his arrival into the professional ranks. Instead of draft-day joy, his family grieved under clouds of confusion, heartbreak, and unanswered questions.
And while social media and podcasts were flooded with speculation—no one really wanted to talk about what this means for Black men in America.
What does it say when even the most promising Black sons feel invisible?
What does it mean when success, talent, and visibility aren’t enough to protect our boys from despair?
Success Is Not a Shield
Kyren’s story is tragic not because it was unpredictable—but because it was painfully familiar to anyone paying attention.
We’ve been told that sports, scholarships, and stoicism are the “way out.” But for far too many young Black men, achievement becomes a prison—a high-pressure, high-expectation existence where emotional vulnerability is not allowed.
Imagine carrying the weight of a culture, a community, and a family legacy on your back—all while never being given the space to say, “I’m not okay.”
That’s not success. That’s emotional exile.
The Hidden Killers in Our Communities
Behind every young Black suicide is a complex, culturally specific web of unaddressed pain:
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Unrelenting performance pressure—on the field, in school, and at home.
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Absentee or overbearing parenting—where love is conditional on obedience or achievement.
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Sexual trauma and childhood adversity—often kept hidden out of shame or family loyalty.
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Homophobia and masculine repression—especially in athletic and religious communities.
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Racialized stress and microaggressions—from classrooms to locker rooms.
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Social media distortion—where curated lives intensify self-doubt and isolation.
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Porn and addiction cycles—used to numb emotional disconnection.
Kyren’s death is not an outlier. It’s a devastating example of what happens when we assume Black boys are too strong to struggle.
Who Gets to Be Vulnerable?
America has made vulnerability a luxury that Black men can’t afford.
We celebrate emotional openness for everyone—except Black men.
In the classroom, he’s “defiant.”
In the therapist’s office, he’s “resistant.”
On the field, he’s expected to play through pain.
At home, he’s told to “man up.”
So where does he go when it all becomes too much?
Nowhere. That’s the problem.
What BroKin.Org Stands For
At BroKin Mental Health Solutions, we don’t just treat trauma—we dismantle the systems that silence Black men.
BroKin is an acronym for BROTHER & KIN. We specialize in culturally competent, trauma-informed care that speaks our language, affirms our identities, and heals our wounds. From high schools to Fortune 500 boardrooms, from barbershops to NFL locker rooms, we bring mental health where it’s needed most—into the lives of Black men who’ve never been given permission to feel.
Because we know what’s really at stake:
When society won’t give young Black men the space to be human, they begin to believe that dying is the only way out.
Real Solutions, Not Empty Slogans
Here’s how we begin to change this:
✅ Normalize Therapy as Emotional Hygiene
Therapy isn’t just for breakdowns—it’s for maintenance. Black families must stop treating mental health care as emergency-only.
✅ Train Coaches, Parents & Educators in Mental Health First Aid
Anyone responsible for Black boys must know how to spot depression, anxiety, and trauma—not just label it as “attitude.”
✅ Redefine Masculinity
Strength is not the absence of tears. We must give our boys space to break, so they can be rebuilt—on their own terms.
✅ Fund Peer-Led Healing Spaces
Community healing, peer mentorship, and culturally safe spaces must be accessible for every Black boy, not just the gifted few.
✅ Stop Romanticizing the Grind
The “hustle” culture is killing us. Rest is revolutionary. Boundaries are healthy. Peace is the goal.
Final Words for Kyren—and Every Black Boy Silently Struggling
Kyren Lacy should be alive today.
He should be at rookie minicamp.
He should be smiling on Instagram, clutching his draft jersey.
He should be texting his mom, “We made it.”
But he’s gone.
And unless we radically change the way we love, protect, and emotionally support Black men—we will lose more.
We are not disposable.
We are not invincible.
We are human.
And it’s time the world started acting like it.
You’re Not Alone. You’re Not Broken. You’re BroKin.
If you or a young man you know is struggling with depression, anxiety, identity confusion, or suicidal thoughts—don’t wait.
Visit www.BroKin.org.
Connect with a culturally competent therapist.
Join a support group.
Share this blog.
Break the silence.
Save a life.
“Let them cry while they’re alive—so we don’t have to cry when they’re gone.”
– Dr. U
