According to new data from JAMA Psychiatry, one in 25 U.S. teenagers aged 13-18 has attempted suicide while one in either has thought about it.
While alarming, a previous study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that Latinos were less likely to commit suicide when compared to non-Latinos ages 15-19.
“This is very complicated,” says Dr. Jane Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. “While actual suicide rates are lower for Hispanics ages 15-19 than for non-Hispanic whites [6.0 vs. 8.9], [overall] suicide ideation and attempts occur at a higher rate among Hispanics and especially among Hispanics girls.”
Even though Latinos showed less signs of suicide than the other groups surveyed, the survey revealed that they show more “serious psychological stress” when over the age of 18 compared to non-Latinos.
Doctors determined that both studies agree across ethnic lines: while teenage girls were more likely to attempt suicide than boys, boys had higher suicide rates than girls.
“Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood and while we know that it is a difficult time for most young people, it is even more difficult when a person has to negotiate the cultural norms of their family with those of the larger society ,” adds Delgado.
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