No suicide pact or cult connected the deaths of two teens in Coldwater, Miss., sheriff’s deputies concluded. But that’s little consolation for a small town left stunned by the two deaths and two suicide attempts last month.

Dr. William Young Sr., executive director of Emotional Fitness Centers of Tennessee, said,  “People don’t realize that African-American males are now taking their own lives in  alarming numbers. (Photos by Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell)

“What you’ve got is a city struggling to deal with a tragedy they never saw coming,” said Dr. William Young Sr., executive director of Emotional Fitness Centers of Tennessee. “People don’t realize that African-American males are now taking their own lives in an alarming numbers. It’s a silent but deadly storm, and these two cases have hit close to home.”

Authorities determined that the suicides of Felix Jamison and Eric Carmichael were loosely connected with the death of a teen killed in an automobile accident in March. Coldwater is a community of 2,000 people. Sheriff’s deputies said that close-knit ties existed between the young men. However, the two deaths were determined to be separate and unrelated.

“We were in on the investigation of the first suicide death, but both investigations are being handled solely by the Coldwater Police Department,” said Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance.

Coldwater Police Chief Undre Todd would not release any details in the two cases still under investigation. Coroner’s reports have not been completed.

Jamison in mid-June changed the message on his cell phone voicemail shortly before taking his own life. The greeting reportedly said, “I can’t come to the phone because I’m probably dead.”

The very next week, Carmichael, according to statements from his mother, took a Bible in his room and barricaded the door. A shot to the head ended his 18-year life.

Although there is no indication that the two deaths and two attempted suicides were connected, all four students were African American males attending the same high school.

“This is a wake-up call for us that the time when our children did not commit suicide is over,” said Dr. Young, who also founded the Annual Suicide and the Black Church Conference. “Once upon a time, suicide was not even an option for our young people. Now it is, and we’ve got to address it.”

Dr. Donna Barnes, executive director of the National Organization for People of Color Against Suicide (NOPCAS), said “this hopelessness is caused by a disconnect one might feel to living. Life has lost its relevance and meaning.”

“My son took his life years ago,” said Dr. Barnes. “There is an enormous amount of guilt and shame connected with suicide, but I found strength through a support group. I got connected with others who had lost loved ones to suicide. Healing comes through talking about it and breaking the silence.”

Dr. Young was called to Coldwater last week by concerned pastors who needed help “navigating through the maze and confusion of two suicide deaths.”

“We met with about 400 people in that community who needed help processing what has happened and knowing what they can do,” said Dr. Young. “When you get people talking about their pain, it is helpful in that whole grieving process. Our children are crying out for help, and we must hear them before it’s too late.”

On Wednesday, he facilitated an afternoon session with chaplains at Methodist Healthcare to offer instruction on how to counsel with a family who has lost someone to suicide.

“We, as spiritual caregivers, must understand what family members and friends need at such a difficult time,” said Dr. Gail Kennebrew, chaplain director of chaplains at Methodist Hospital.

“Our session was scheduled long before this tragedy in Mississippi,” said Dr. Gail Kennebrew, chaplain director. “But certainly, it is all the more evident that we, as spiritual caregivers, must understand what family members and friends need at such a difficult time. Dr. Young has helped us over the years to understand the grieving process of those left behind after suicide.”

Misdiagnosed or undiagnosed depression is usually the root cause of suicide, said Dr. Young.

A depression website called HealthyPlace.com cites hopelessness and social isolation as accounting for the rise in suicides among African-American youth.

It states: “Some community leaders have pointed to a lack of decent jobs and positive role models for young Black men in poor communities. They note that poverty and low self-esteem together with easy access to drugs and guns can lead to suicide as well.”

According to the website’s statistics, the suicide rate among African-American men has doubled since 1980, making suicide the third leading cause of death in African-American men between the ages of 15 and 24.

In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, the most common reasons given for attempted suicides by teens were a conflict with a girlfriend or boyfriend, an argument with parents, and problems at school. Teens who are gay or experiencing gender confusion have a much higher rate of suicide than other teens.

For every one suicide attempt among males, there are three attempts by females. Men are more likely to successfully complete suicide because they have greater access to firearms. Most males who commit suicide use a firearm in the attempt.

For additional information, or to inquire about available counseling, call the Emotional Fitness Centers of Tennessee at (901) 370-4673.