For years, experts have warned about a growing mental health crisis among America's young people.

But within that trend, there are important signals about racial disparities.

Between the years 2018 and 2022 the suicide rate among black youth rose by more

than 50% for the first time surpassing white youth who saw a 17% decline.

Special correspondent Fred to Sam Lazro,

has this story from Chicago, the first of two reports.

It's part of our race matters coverage.

And a warning, this story discusses topics of suicide that many that may be difficult for some viewers.

He had a personality that was so contagious.

He was so in love with being a good person.

From an early age, Jamal Clay wanted to be helpful.

Some of my fondest memories of Jamal is remembering him waking me up early in the morning

so we can get to school a little bit before the kids

so that he could take the chairs off the desk and help the teachers, you know, prepare for school.

He looked everyone in the eye and gave them his undivided attention.

As time went on, however, Raffia Maxi Cole noticed changes in her son. He

drew into himself, grew quieter, spent more time alone. Maxi Cole knew Clay was teased at school over his body type.

At one point he tried to take his own life and was rushed to the hospital.

A social worker, mother, traumatized, figuring out which role I have.

Well my 12 year old is in an isolation unit. Clay was ultimately released from the hospital but in the years that followed, his struggles widened.

Many of the struggles that my son dealt with was, of course, being a product of a single parent and not having the closest relationship with

his father trying to be the man of the house because he was there was no male and not knowing how that goes I remember him

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