Hispanic Suicide
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Comment| Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 | | CWK Producer |
“Overall, as a Latino community, we need to continue to become educated about this very important issue. We need to break that taboo, break that barrier, and talk about it. We need to help our children communicate with us when they have challenges.”
– Pierluigi Mancini, Ph.D., addiction specialist
Hispanic teens face the same pressures as any kid.
“Growing up and changes and peer pressure,” explains 13-year-old Jolis Abreu, “all of that, we gotta handle it.”
But experts say Latino kids often face another stress: a conflict between the traditionally strict culture of their parents and an American culture that seems to be more permissive.
“We are seeing many Latino youth,” says addiction specialist Dr. Pierluigi Mancini, “that are born here or recently arrive here that are now living in a world much different than their parents’ world. So their parents don’t have a true understanding of the challenges these kids are facing.”
These kids can feel overwhelmed with messages about drug use and sexuality.
They want to talk.
But, he says, in Latino culture, children are not supposed to bring up these topics to their parents.
“How does a 13-year-old Latina girl approach her parents about that issue?” says Dr. Mancini, “We don’t know. There are no skills, there’s no bridge.”
And, he says, when a child can’t talk to their parent about their anxieties, their fears…that can lead to self-destructive behavior, even suicide.
“We know as human beings that whether I’m angry or sad,” says Dr. Mancini, “if I don’t talk to someone that feeling doesn’t go away.”
“It’s like they keep it to their self,” says 13-year-old Jolis, “and that pressure builds up and then… they can’t handle it and explode, and go all crazy.”
Experts say Latino parents should realize the unique pressures their children face… and talk.
“We need to break that taboo,” says Dr. Mancini, “break that barrier, and talk about it. We need to help our children communicate with us when they have challenges.”
Tips for Parents
Some teenagers feel so overwhelmed with what they are experiencing that they believe their only escape is through suicide. Many parents and friends may not know there is a problem, however, until it is already too late. The risk of suicide may become evident to others if they know the warning signs of suicide. They include:
- Suicide notes
- Extreme depression
- Previous suicide attempts
- Drastic changes in mood, behaviors or tendencies
- References to death or dying
- Extremely risky behavior
- Giving away meaningful possessions
Intervention may be the best way to prevent suicide. If your child suspects a friend of having suicidal thoughts or tendencies, share with them the following options, developed by the National Association of School Psychologists.
- Know the warning signs! Read over the list above and keep it in a safe place.
- Do not be afraid to talk to your friends. Listen to their feelings. Make sure they know how important they are to you, but don’t believe you can keep them from hurting themselves on your own. Preventing suicide will require adult help.
- Make no deals. Never keep secret a friend's suicidal plans or thoughts. You cannot promise that you will not tell – you have to tell to save your friend.
- Tell an adult. Talk to your parent, your friend's parent, your school’s psychologist or counselor – a trusted adult. And don’t wait. Don’t be afraid that the adults will not believe you or take you seriously – keep talking until they listen. Even if you are not sure your friend is suicidal, talk to someone. It’s okay if you "jump the gun" – this is definitely the time to be safe and not sorry.
- Ask if your school has a crisis team. Many schools have organized crisis teams, which include teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists and principals. These teams help train all staff to recognize warning signs of suicide, as well as how to help in a crisis situation. These teams can also help students understand warning signs of violence and suicide. If your school does not have a crisis team, ask your student council or faculty advisor to look into starting a team.
If you suspect your child of considering suicide, be sure to act quickly and take it seriously. Many times, the main factor leading kids to consider suicide is depression. If you suspect your child is struggling with depression, consider sharing with him/her the following suggestions, created by Teen Contact.
- Get help. Talk to someone that can help you get the help you need. Depression is a serious condition.
- Be active. Exercise daily and be around people. Don’t isolate yourself.
- Monitor your eating habits and make sure you’re eating a healthy diet.
- Consult a doctor.
- Don’t make any big decisions while you are depressed. You’re probably not thinking clearly. Also, don’t accept any additional responsibility while you are feeling depressed. Keep your tasks manageable.
- Change takes time. It probably took you a while to get depressed, so realize that it will probably take a while to feel better.
- Start using positive thinking and positive self-talk with yourself. Negative thinking plays a big part in depression. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, turn it around. This takes practice, but keep it up.
- Do some volunteer work. Helping others can help you, too.
References
- National Association of School Psychologists
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Center for Education, Treatment and Prevention of Addiction
