12363. AFRICAN AMERICAN SUICIDE. This paper profiles and examines suicidal behavior among African Americans. Following a summary profile of suicide rates among African Americans in general and specific age and gender related categories, the investigation examines some of the reasons behind Blacks' lower rate of suicide (versus whites), considers forces spurring increasing rates of suicide among specific age and gender related categories, and looks at strategies for prevention. 16 pages, 41 footnotes, 23 bibliographic sources.