“I became interested in it, and there was nothing being written about this,” says Zayas, now a professor of psychiatry at the Washington University in St. Louis. “I’d talk to social workers, doctors, other psychologists, and they’d say, ‘Yeah, we see it too.’”
Nearly two decades later, the rest of the medical profession began to notice in research and study the same disturbing trend: the high attempted suicide rate among Latinas.

One in five adolescent Latinas has reported a suicide attempt, compared to one in 10 non-Hispanic whites or blacks, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control found in a recent report.

“Why do some teen Latinas attempt and others don’t, despite sharing similar traits like family size? We suspect it has to do with family function,” says Zayas. “If you have a supportive role model you’re less likely to attempt.”

A study by two Fordham University professors found just such results. Latinas who had a better emotional relationship with their mother were less likely to attempt suicide, the 2002 study found. The study, “Suicide Attempts by Adolescent Latinas: An Explanatory Study of Individual and Family Correlates,” interviewed 14 girls who had attempted suicide and 17 who had not.

Most were from working class families, were U.S.-born, and had immigrant parents. They were also in the midst of mental health counseling.

The authors, Sandra Turner and Carol Kaplan, recommended teaching parents how to improve and open relations with their daughters. Teaching the girls problem-solving skills as well as giving them ways to seek social support could also help bring down the number of Latinas who attempt suicide, according to their report.

The Pacific Clinics Latina Youth Program, based in Los Angeles, is a program created to address the suicide attempt rate among Latinas.

The pilot program, which operates out of one high school and three middle schools, has been looked at by the state as a successful model for future intervention programs, according to U.S. Congresswoman Grace Napolitano of California. The program has been successful in reaching out to teachers, students and parents, says Napolitano, who is founder of the House mental health committee and serves as its co-chair.

Teachers are more readily able to identify indicators of depression or suicidal thoughts, says Napolitano. The program also points out that boys are as likely to suffer from suicidal tendencies as girls, she said.

“A lot of young women come from families that came from Mexico and are living between two worlds … and they can’t handle it. My understanding is that it has a lot to do with peer pressure and the cultural pressures — one side from the parents and one side from the peers,” says Napolitano.
 

A sudden drop in grades, not wanting to leave their room or go to school, or a disregard for personal appearance could all be symptoms of depression, says Napolitano. “A young girl was coming in with [the same] sweatshirt every day, almost like she never changed. Her teacher thought there might be a problem,” recounts Napolitano. A meeting was set up with a psychotherapist, and the girl began to improve her outlook and appearance.

But it took the community working together, Napolitano says.

“We need to start addressing this … so people can understand that this is a terrible thing and it can happen to anybody,” says Napolitano. “Latina youngsters have so much to live for, and they find themselves with the world closing in on them. Who knows how they got to that state?”

That is precisely the question Zayas will try to answer in a study he hopes to complete by 2009.

Zayas was granted preliminary approval for a five-year study that will track 200 Latinas, half of whom have attempted suicide, and their parents. For the first time, says Zayas, research will present reasoning from the girls’ perspectives. The National Institute for Mental Health has approved the study, he says.

“Let’s take a look at it carefully: What was she thinking, what was she feeling? How did she attempt to do it?” says Zayas. “By really understanding it carefully, maybe we can develop profiles that a guidance counselor can look at ... or preventive programs in school that say, if you’re feeling this, you’re at risk.”
 

The CDC recommends a multi-prong prevention strategy that includes substance abuse prevention, family and peer support, and access to health services.

Napolitano says success is ultimately “a community caring about each other. These are our future leaders, and they’re all valuable. We need to help them protect themselves when they don’t know how to protect themselves.”

 

What To Do if You Think Someone Is Suicidal Trust your instincts that the person may be in trouble. Talk with the person about your concerns. Communication needs to include LISTENING. Ask direct questions without being judgmental. Determine if the person has a specific plan to carry out the suicide. The more detailed the plan, the greater the risk. Get professional help, even if the person resists. Do not leave the person alone. Do not swear to secrecy. Do not act shocked or judgmental. Do not counsel the person yourself. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 1-800-SUICIDE, or 1-877-SUICIDA for Spanish-language assistance, or visit www.hopeline.com. Teens can contact a peer-to-peer counseling hotline network at 1-877-YOUTHLINE, or log onto www.youthline.us in both Spanish and English. Courtesy of the National Mental Health Association