The Many Faces of Teen Suicide: Race, Sexuality, Class and Mental Health

[rpannier]

he news media has brought a lot of attention to the issue of teen suicide by reporting stories of LGBT youth who have taken their own lives. This news coverage, however, does not present a full picture of the problem of teen suicide. The media has also not adequately explored the many factors -- family, local, and national -- that impact teen mental health. This article seeks to fill in some of these gaps.

Teen Suicide: General Statistics

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 10 and 24. 90% of persons who commit suicide have mental health problems. Many of these individuals suffer from depression, which has many causes, including biology, difficult life events and drug addiction.

Suicides occur in all racial groups. Nevertheless, there is a persistent myth that suicides and more generally mental health issues do not impact poor persons or persons of color. This is patently false. Some studies show that among adults, persons of color commit suicide less frequently than whites. Other studies indicate the reverse.

No study, however, demonstrates that suicide is a trivial issue among any particular racial or socioeconomic group. The suicide rate among black males, for example, doubled between 1980 and 1995, and it is now the third leading cause of death among black youth (the same statistic as youth in general). Therefore, dismissing this issue as unimportant for certain ethnicities has no basis in reality.

Among teenagers, there are some clear racial patterns in suicide rates. Native American and Latino youth have much higher rates of suicide than persons in other racial groups. The suicide rate among Native American youth is twice the rate of other young persons. Between 2001 and 2006, over 27% of Native American males between the ages of 10-24 committed suicide. This is the highest rate for any demographic group.

link:
http://dissentingjustice.blogspot.com/2011/09/many-faces-of-teen-suicide-race.html

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Wow! Quite the day for "mental illness" / "mental health" posts!

[rpannier]

2. I haven't seen any other than mine

But it's a good thing IMO

[polly7]

3. Sad statistics for all. Depression, addictions, bullying, discrimination ... it

breaks my heart that so many young people feel so hopeless.

Youth suicide is an urgent issue for First Nations and Inuit youth in Canada. While there is much variation among communities, overall rates are high.

Suicide rates are five to seven times higher for First Nations youth than for non-Aboriginal youth.
Suicide rates among Inuit youth are among the highest in the world, at 11 times the national average.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/suicide/index-eng.php

[marlakay]

4. Son of a friend of mine committed suicide on monday

I don't know all the details, I have been out of state and she is leader of my book club and not a close friend. I feel terrible for her. Son was mid 20's had moved back home for financial reasons this summer.

They are both retired professors with phd's..maybe he felt like a failure to them. They are doing well money wise and travel a lot.

The only dynamic I know is the husband is very arrogant and the type to lord his phd over others, another friend of mine used to travel with them and stopped after last trip. They are educated with money also but don't act like it ( or we wouldn't be friends!)

[Number23]

5. Rec'd. Not only have these issues been overlooked but so have things like obesity

It's amazing the number of teens killing themselves because they are repeatedly told they are "fat" or "ugly."