Researchers compared the prevalence of Emergency Department (ED) visits of African Americans and police killings. They calculated that police killings increased hospitalizations for depression by 11%.

Michigan State University

On average, African Americans are 3.5 times more likely to be killed by police. They are also 1.5 times more unlikely to be unarmed. As such, people of color, particularly African Americans are most likely to experience the negative effects of his violence. This can be seen in mental health trends.

Police Violence and Its Effect on People of Color

Das, A., Singh, P., Kulkarni, A. K., &amp; Bruckner, T. A. (2021). Emergency department visits for depression following police killings of unarmed African Americans. Social Science &amp; Medicine, 269, 113561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113561 

Emergency department visits for depression following police killings of unarmed African Americans

Depression-related Hospitalizations and Police Violence

This study looked at counties from 5 different states, and found each had different rates of hospitalizations. Kentucky had the most while New York had the least. Interestingly, New York had the most police killings in this time and the fewest visits. This indicates that there are likely other factors affecting these observations.

Depression related to Police Violence via states.

The best solutions would be to support policies that combat police killings. Other then that, traditional depression treatments can be utilized.

Potential Solutions for Depression linked to Police Violence

In 2019, Atatiana Jefferson was fatally shot in her own home by a police officer. A neighbor had placed a non-emergency call to police out of concern for Jefferson's front door being open late at night. An officer who arrived on the scene went to the back of the house. Jefferson, who was unaware of the police presence, retrieved her legally owned gun from her purse. The officer perceived a threat and fired through a window, killing her as her 8-year-old nephew watched.

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