NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

At a Glance - Suicide Among Diverse Populations

• Several considerations are critical when examining suicidal thoughts or behavior in different cultures (e.g., age group, ethnicity, geographic region). There must be good measurement of the occurrence within that groups so that decisions are based on dependable data. Also there must be an understanding of the nature of that community in order to develop effective prevention programs.
  
  
• From 1996-1998, suicide rates among males by race and ethnicity: Native Americans (a category that includes American Indians and Alaska Natives), 20.9 per 100,000 population (all rates are per 100,000); White Non-Hispanic, 19.4, Black, 11.2; Hispanic, 10.5; and Asian/Pacific Islander, 9.1. Among males the highest rates for adolescents and young adults (15-24 years) are in the Native American community, 37.5; the highest rates for middle-aged adults (45-64 years) are in the White, Non-Hispanic group, 25.2, and the highest rates for elderly (65+ years) are also in the White, Non-Hispanic group, 37.5.
  
  
• From 1996-1998, suicide rates among females by race and ethnicity: Native Americans, 5.3 per 100,000 population (all rates are per 100,000); White Non-Hispanic, 4.7, Black, 1.9; Hispanic, 1.9; and Asian/Pacific Islander, 3.3. Among females the highest rates for adolescents and young adults (15-24 years) are in the Native American community, 8.3; the highest rates for middle-aged adults (45-64 years) are in the White, Non-Hispanic group, 7.4, while the highest rates for elderly (65+ years) are in the Asian/Pacific Islander group, 8.1.
  
  
• Similarities and differences exist in suicide rates across the various racial/ethnic groups. For each group: Native Americans, White Non-Hispanics, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders, males have higher suicide rates than females. However, overall patterns differ regarding which age groups have the highest rate. Among Native Americans and African-Americans the highest suicide rates occur during the adolescent and young adult years. Among European-American Non-Hispanics, Hispanics, and Asian/Pacific Islanders the highest suicide rates occur in those over 65 years of age.
  
  
• Several surveys of high school adolescents have shown that there is a statistically significant increase risk of suicidal ideation and behavior among students who identify themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. There are yet no empirical data on this population for completed suicides.
  
  
• In 1999, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, in a nationwide survey of high school students found that in the 12 months preceding the survey, Hispanic students (12.8%) were significantly more likely than White, Non-Hispanic or Black Non-Hispanic students (6.7% and 7.3%, respectively) to have reported a suicide attempt. Among females, Hispanic students (18.9%) were significantly more likely than White, Non-Hispanic or Black Non-Hispanic students (9.0% and 7.5%, respectively) to have reported a suicide attempt.