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Police killings and suicide among Black Americans

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  • Kyriopoulos, Ilias
  • Vandoros, Sotiris
  • Kawachi, Ichiro

Abstract

Black Americans are killed at higher rates by police than whites. Previous studies have shown that discrimination can lead to suicidal ideation, and that mental health of Black Americans deteriorates after police killings. The objective of this study is to examine whether police killings are associated with an increase in suicide rates amongst Black Americans. Controlling for a number of factors, we found that on months with at least one killing of a Black person by police, there were, on average, 0.0472 additional suicides per 100,000 Black Americans in the U.S. Census Division where the killing occurred. We did not find any spillover effects on other divisions. This association persisted when controlling for gun ownership, and did not seem to be a result of variance in deaths by assault. There was no association between killings of Black Americans and white suicides; white killings and Black suicides; or white killings and white suicides. This study highlights another reason for urgent action on reducing police killings.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyriopoulos, Ilias & Vandoros, Sotiris & Kawachi, Ichiro, 2022. "Police killings and suicide among Black Americans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:305:y:2022:i:c:s0277953622002702
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114964
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Das, Abhery & Singh, Parvati & Kulkarni, Anju K. & Bruckner, Tim A., 2021. "Emergency Department visits for depression following police killings of unarmed African Americans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
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