CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. The Nature and Scope of Suicide
2. Recognizing the Progressive Development of Suicide
3. Substance Abuse as a Major Contributor to Suicide
4. Suicide Across the Life Span
5. Special Populations and Suicide Risk
6. Prevention and Early Intervention for Suicide and Substance Abuse Problems

Supplements
References
Resources

Holding the Lifeline
A Guide to Suicide Prevention

Hispanic/Latino Populations

It is estimated that by the year 2020, Hispanics will represent 17 percent of the U.S. population and will surpass all other racial/ethnic minority groups in size. ref

During 1997-2001, 8,744 Hispanics (or 5.95 per 100,000) died from suicide, with 85 percent of those suicides being male. ref

Half of the suicides were among people aged 10-34ref and it was the third leading cause of death among 10-24 year olds. Firearms are the suicide method used most frequently. It is also important to note that young Hispanic females, particularly those in grades 9-12, reported more feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation, compared with their White or Black non-Hispanic peers. ref

Hispanics have a far lower suicide rate than other minority populations. The suicide rate for the Hispanic population are much lower than those of Caucasians, African Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. ref

Hispanics also appear to have some protective or mediating factors that help in reducing suicidal behavior. One study found less suicidal ideation and fewer lethal attempts among Latinos. They also scored higher on survival and coping skills, responsibility to family, and moral objections to suicide, possibly due to cultural norms associated with a strong identification to being Latino. ref

The Hispanic community is relatively new to operating behavioral health organizations within their community, particularly on a national, policy-setting level. One organization that is working to assist Latinos with mental health needs is the National Latino Behavioral Health Association, This organization provides links to resources, events, research, and policy issues.

Two other organizations that are of particular help to Hispanics/Latinos with mental health and/or suicidal problems are the Mental Health Association of New York City, which has a Spanish-speaking phone line: 1-877-298-3373 (http://www.mhaofnyc.org, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), http://www.nami.org formerly known as the National Alliance on the Mentally Ill). The main NAMI Web site has a link at the top of the page "En Espanol," where the information contained on their Web site is translated into Spanish.