Suicide remains a mental health crisis in the United States. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the country. Over the years, we’ve continued to have conversations about suicide, and that has helped to increase awareness. This has contributed to some progress, but rates continue to increase, especially among some ethnic groups. Multiple intersecting factors drive these trends. Economic hardship, housing instability, chronic stress, and limited access to affordable mental health services elevate risk across populations, but marginalized groups face additional burdens such as systemic racism, discrimination, and historical trauma (Hawton and colleagues, 2013). Structural barriers, including underfunded community clinics, a lack of culturally responsive care, and inadequate insurance coverage, further limit prevention and treatment opportunities. Moreover, social isolation, firearm access, and the lingering psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may compound vulnerability, particularly in under-resourced areas where community support systems may be strained.

As with most

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