Pierluigi Mancini, Ph.D. CETPA, Inc. Sponsored by the Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health
Which of the following is most likely to attempt suicide? A. A straight-a student B. A student who is gifted in athletics C. A student who is abusing drugs and failing in school D. A student who is very popular E. All of the above are at equal risk
E. Under the right or wrong circumstances, all of the above could commit suicide.
Serious depression involves a longlasting sad mood that does not let up and a loss of pleasure in things the person once enjoyed. Thoughts of death, negative thoughts of oneself, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, poor concentration, changes in appetite or sleep. Depression distorts one s viewpoint (makes them focus only on their failures).
It is the 3 rd leading cause of death among young people ages 15-29. Every day approximately 12 people between the ages of 15-24 commit suicide. Nearly 1 in 5 high school students report that they have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
Teen girls attempt suicide more often than male teens. (About nine times more often) But, male teens are four times more likely to succeed when they try to kill themselves. Male teens tend to use more lethal methods (e.g. guns or hanging) while girls tend to attempt suicide by drug overdose or cutting.
Among 10-14 yo: suffocation/hanging is the most common suicide method (almost twice as often as firearms, which had been the most commonly-used method prior to 1997; CDC, 2004)
More than half of all Hispanic suicides occur among those aged 10-34 years Hispanic males are six times as likely to commit suicide as Hispanic females
Hispanic youth are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and account for one-fourth of Hispanic suicide deaths.
More than 11% of all Hispanic high-schoolers and 15% of Hispanic female teens said they had attempted suicide (White and African-American rates were 7.5%; CDC, 2006) Survey of nearly 14,000 students in grades 9-12 in public and private high schools in all 50 states 36% of Hispanic teens reported prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness (compared to 28.5% of African-American teens and 26% of White teens)
In 2000, Hispanic female teens born in the U.S. were at higher risk than Hispanic female teens born outside the US. Identification with culture of origin as a protective factor
Hispanic teens reported much higher rates of drug use (cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and methamphetamines) Hispanic Teens Drug Use: 1 in 8 cocaine, 1 in 10 ecstasy, 1 in 11 methamphetamines, 1 in 28 heroin. Substance abuse is higher among Hispanic teens who identify more with American culture
Acculturation rates differ Family reunification/dysfunction Loss of family who raised teen, loss of friends Problems with education Problems with employment PTSD rape, migration struggles Financial stress, Lower SES
Prejudice, discrimination Fear of deportation if undocumented Stigma/Perceptions of mental health treatment Lack of health care access New culture, communication issues, friends
Depression Substance Abuse Dependence/Independence Sexuality issues Problems with romantic relationship Self-esteem Body-image problems
Physical or sexual abuse Divorce or death in the family
Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance use disorders Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help seeking Restricted access to lethal means Strong connections to family and community support Support through ongoing medical and mental health care relationships Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent handling of disputes Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
Pulling away from friends or family Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly Changes in sleeping or eating habits Major changes in appearance Talk about feeling hopeless or guilt Talk about suicide Talk about death Talk about going away Self-destructive behavior (drugs, alcohol, driving too fast) Giving away favorite possessions **Suddenly very happy moods after being depressed or sad for a long time (this person may have a suicide plan)
School Counselor Medicine Outpatient Therapy Inpatient Treatment
www.cdc.gov www.kidshealth.org www.4girls.gov National Household Survey on Drug Abuse Report (2003) American Association of Suicidology www.suicidology.org
CETPA, Inc. 6020 Dawson Blvd Suite I Norcross, GA 30093 (770) 662-0249 www.cetpa.org