According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, suicide is the leading cause of death in those 10-to-19-years-old. Rates among black youth have risen faster than any other racial/ethnic group in the past two decades, with suicide rates in Black males, 10-19 years-old, increasing by 60%. With their new campaign, Young King Hair Care is trying to change the narrative, encouraging young Black boys/men to engage in some self-care.
“At the end of the day, self-care is all about meeting your basic needs because when you look good, you feel good both physically and mentally,” Stefan Miller, Young King Hair Care Co-Founder & CMO said in a recent interview about their new campaign. “That’s why we are excited to truly elevate the conversation around self-care for young black men through our year-long “Self-Care Is King” campaign, shining a light on this narrative that is often overlooked when it comes to young Black men expanding their self-care mindset.”
Miller continued explaining the goals of the new campaign.
““Self-Care Is King” aims to boost confidence and change young men of color’s perspective on self-care over time by helping them define their grooming routines and lean into self-love. To do this, we will partner with community organizations to provide educational resources on grooming and wellness best practices, and [host] experiential events in key urban cities to drive the conversation of self-care for young men.”
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry also notes that early adolescent Black youth, 10-to-13-years-old, are twice as likely to die by suicide as compared to their white counterparts. The data shows that influences that contribute to these suicide numbers include: community violence, socioeconomic stress, perceived discrimination, stigma, and interpersonal and family conflict.
Watch for the signs and if you know of someone who you suspect needs help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or SMS-ing 988.
Photo Credit(s): Featured Image-Young King Hair Care Instagram; Young King Hair Care Instagram
