Latina Suicide and the Latina Suicide and the SchoolsSchools

David N. Miller, Ph.D.David N. Miller, Ph.D.

University at Albany, SUNYUniversity at Albany, SUNY

dmiller@uamail.albany.edudmiller@uamail.albany.edu

Youth Suicide in ContextYouth Suicide in Context

On average, approximately 5 youth On average, approximately 5 youth between the ages of 10 and 19 die between the ages of 10 and 19 die by suicide every day in the U.S.by suicide every day in the U.S.

For every youth who dies by suicide, For every youth who dies by suicide, 100-200 make serious suicide 100-200 make serious suicide attempts, and thousands more attempts, and thousands more seriously contemplate it.seriously contemplate it.

Youth Suicidal BehaviorYouth Suicidal Behavior

Suicidal IdeationSuicidal Ideation

Suicide-Related CommunicationSuicide-Related Communication

Suicide AttemptsSuicide Attempts

SuicideSuicide

Why Do Young People Die By Why Do Young People Die By Suicide?Suicide?

Because they can, and because they Because they can, and because they want towant to

– Perceived burdensomenessPerceived burdensomeness

– Failed belongingnessFailed belongingness

– Habituation to fear and pain of deathHabituation to fear and pain of death

Prominent Risk FactorsProminent Risk Factors

The two biggest risk factors for youth The two biggest risk factors for youth suicide are:suicide are:

– (1) Presence of mental health (1) Presence of mental health disorder(s)disorder(s)

– (2) Previous suicidal behavior(2) Previous suicidal behavior

Possible Warning SignsPossible Warning Signs

HopelessnessHopelessness Rage, anger, seeking revengeRage, anger, seeking revenge Acting recklessly or engaging in risky Acting recklessly or engaging in risky

activities, seemingly without thinkingactivities, seemingly without thinking Increasing alcohol or drug useIncreasing alcohol or drug use Withdrawing from friends, family, or Withdrawing from friends, family, or

societysociety

Possible Warning SignsPossible Warning Signs

Experiencing anxiety and/or agitationExperiencing anxiety and/or agitation Being unable to sleep or sleeping Being unable to sleep or sleeping

excessivelyexcessively Dramatic mood changesDramatic mood changes Perceiving no reason for living or no Perceiving no reason for living or no

sense of purpose in lifesense of purpose in life NOT on this list: giving away NOT on this list: giving away

possessionspossessions

Protective FactorsProtective Factors

Close peer relationshipsClose peer relationships High self-efficacyHigh self-efficacy High levels of engagement in High levels of engagement in

productive activities (e.g., school)productive activities (e.g., school) Warm relationships and guidance Warm relationships and guidance

from adultsfrom adults Responsive schoolsResponsive schools

Myths About SuicideMyths About Suicide

The two biggest…The two biggest…

– (1) Talking about suicide with youth (1) Talking about suicide with youth increases the probability it will occurincreases the probability it will occur

– (2) If someone wants to die by suicide, (2) If someone wants to die by suicide, there is little or nothing anyone can do there is little or nothing anyone can do to prevent itto prevent it

Suicide in a Cultural ContextSuicide in a Cultural Context

Various ethnic groups differ in their:Various ethnic groups differ in their:

– Rates of youth suicideRates of youth suicide

– The context in which suicide occursThe context in which suicide occurs

– Patterns of help seekingPatterns of help seeking

Latina Suicide and the Schools: Latina Suicide and the Schools: What Can We Do?What Can We Do?

Educate all students and school staff about Educate all students and school staff about risk factors and warning signs, and where to risk factors and warning signs, and where to go for helpgo for help

Actively identify and seek out members from Actively identify and seek out members from higher risk groupshigher risk groups

Ensure mental health professionals in schools Ensure mental health professionals in schools are skilled in suicide risk assessmentare skilled in suicide risk assessment

Enhance parent/caregiver educationEnhance parent/caregiver education

Latina Suicides and the Schools:Latina Suicides and the Schools:What Can We Do?What Can We Do?

Create school environments characterized Create school environments characterized by warmth and caringby warmth and caring

Promoting student engagement in school Promoting student engagement in school (in academics, sports, music, plays, etc.)(in academics, sports, music, plays, etc.)

Promote help-seeking behaviorPromote help-seeking behavior

Don’t be afraid to talk about it!Don’t be afraid to talk about it!

Thank You!Thank You!

For more information, see my book For more information, see my book Child and Adolescent Suicidal Child and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: School-Based Prevention, Behavior: School-Based Prevention, Assessment, and InterventionAssessment, and Intervention (2011) (2011)

Email: dmiller@uamail.albany.eduEmail: dmiller@uamail.albany.edu