Suicide

African Americans

Historically, the suicide rate for African Americans has been lower than the rate for European Americans. This pattern seems to be changing, however, with rates for African American males (especially adolescents) increasing faster than rates for European American males. African American females continue to have a very low suicide rate compared with members of other ethnic groups, although they attempt suicide at rates similar to European American females. Although the suicide rate for European American men increases with age, the rate for African American men decreases, with risk peaking at 25 to 34 years.

Risk factors for African Americans include poverty, racism and marginalization, age under 35, drug use, presence of a firearm in the home, and violent behavior. Protective factors include rural residence and educational attainment. African American culture may contribute to lower rates of suicide through its emphasis on religion and extended family. Religion can provide a source of support for individuals in need, and many churches condemn suicide as a sin. Extended family can provide a multigenerational environment of social support. Some researchers believe that older African Americans are less likely to commit suicide than older European Americans because they are more likely to be included in the family as useful and valued members.

Latin Americans

The Latin American population is so diverse that it is difficult to estimate suicide prevalence without looking at country of origin. In comparing Latino groups, Mexican Americans tend to have lower rates of suicide, whereas Cuban Americans and mainland Puerto Ricans have relatively higher rates. Compared with suicide rates in their countries of origin, suicide rates for Latin American people in the United States are significantly higher.

The stresses associated with migration and acculturation can increase the risk of suicide. For example, poverty, language barriers, discrimination and marginalization, and the unavailability or underutilization of mental health services may increase risk. The process of acculturation can erode protective factors from the native culture. For example, Mexican culture emphasizes the importance of extended family, which often serves to protect individual members from psychological distress by providing an extended support system, and the church, which may provide a more extended support network. Thus, Mexican Americans who become highly acculturated (usually the young) will have weak ties to these traditional supports and may display levels of suicide risk that are similar to the dominant culture.

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