In the latest episode from the Justice Insights podcast by the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University, researchers from CJR, Stetson University, and Elon University examine the complex relationships between community factors, mental health, violent crime, and suicide across 100 large U.S. municipalities. Key findings reveal that communities with higher proportions of Black residents show notable resilience to suicide, while lower high school graduation rates correlate with increased suicide rates. Paradoxically, better income equality associates with higher suicide rates, consistent with international data. The study highlights how mental distress, education, and social factors interconnect to influence community wellbeing, emphasizing the need for culturally-informed interventions and educational investments to address these critical public health challenges.

You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.