Suicidality and Latino/a/x Youth
Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death among Latinx children, and there has been a significant increase in Hispanic child suicides over the past decade. From 2010 to 2019, suicide rates among Latinx children rose by 92.3%, primarily among boys (59.6%) aged 10-12 years (94.9%). Hispanic child suicides were most common in the West and South regions and least common in the Northeast.
To ensure that Latinx children can grow up to become healthy adults, policymakers must allocate more resources to improve access to healthcare for all young people. Additionally, research funding for minority populations should include investigations into the risk and protective factors associated with suicide among Latinx children, as well as effective interventions to reduce their suicide rates.
There is a correlation between increased acculturation or exposure to mainstream American culture and a higher risk of suicide-related behavior. Studies have shown that cultural factors, such as acculturative stress, minority stress, and racial/ethnic discrimination, can contribute to the risk of suicide-related behavior. On the other hand, certain cultural factors have been linked to lower suicide-related risk, such as having a strong sense of belonging to one's ethnic group, valuing family-oriented values (familism), and having religious or spiritual beliefs.
Intersectionality Considerations
LGBTQ+
Research from The Trevor Project has shown that the increased risk of suicide among LGBTQ youth is due to the stress related to their experiences of stigma, discrimination, and victimization, rather than their sexual orientation or gender identity itself. Similarly, being Latinx in the United States brings unique challenges such as racial-ethnic bias, acculturation stress, and immigration concerns, but little is known about suicide risk among Latinx LGBTQ youth. This brief uses data from The Trevor Project's 2020 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health to examine factors associated with suicide attempts among Latinx LGBTQ youth.
The study found that Latinx LGBTQ youth were 30% more likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year compared to non-Latinx LGBTQ youth. The risk was higher for those who were transgender or nonbinary, struggling to meet basic needs, and under 18 years old. Those who were assigned female at birth and completed the survey in Spanish were also at increased risk of attempting suicide. However, worries about immigration-related detainment or deportation played a significant role in this increased risk. After adjusting for this factor, the greater risk of suicide attempts among Latinx LGBTQ youth disappeared.
The study also found that nearly half of Latinx LGBTQ youth worry about immigration-related detainment or deportation, compared to only 7% of non-Latinx LGBTQ youth. Having a parent born outside the U.S. was associated with a 40% increased odds of a suicide attempt among Latinx LGBTQ youth. However, being born outside the U.S. was not associated with greater risk of attempting suicide.
Recommendations for Screening Latinx Youth for Suicidality
Utilize personnel who can conduct the universal screening procedures in Spanish
Translate all parent notifications, screening, and safety planning documents into Spanish
Know your reporting rules regarding undocumented individuals. Be fully transparent about these rules with the student before conducting the screener or asking for personal information about the student
When completing documentation, do not document any information regarding immigration status for the student or any caregivers