[View the story "Latina Suicide Crisis" on Storify ]Latina Suicide Crisis Statistics show Hispanic girls have one of the highest rates of suicide among teens in the US. Storified by The Stream · Thu, Mar 14 2013 11:42:31
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
estimates that one out of every seven Latina teens has attempted suicide. It also says
significantly more Hispanic females in high school reported attempting suicide compared to girls of other ethnicities.
Latino teenagers have the highest rate of suicide in the country. #racialequityMikhail Lyubansky
Experts say New York City has the highest Latina teenage suicide rate in the entire US:
Comunilife
Researchers point to a number of factors that account for higher rates of suicide attempts and acts of suicide among Latina teenagers. One
study co-authored by a leading researcher on the subject,
Luis H. Zayas , found that a strained relationship between girls and their mothers was often an issue. Conversely, Zayas also found that girls who have healthier relationships with their mothers are less prone to depression:
We also found that girls who reported having more mutuality with their mothers had less internalizing behaviors, specifically less withdrawn-depressive behaviors, anxious-depressive behaviors, and somatic complaints. We also found that the withdrawn-depressive behaviors were significantly related to suicide attempts, mediating the relationship between mutuality and suicide attempts.hindawi.com
Others point to a significant amount of pressure girls face at home with their Spanish-speaking parents.
@jennbeijing. First generation immigrants like my self are under so much pressure both at home and in society, A times its hard to copeJephte
@AJStream First- generation #Latina Immigrants are supposed to perform so much better than their parents whose expectations maybe too great.Neslihan Kurosawa
In the video below, YouTube user
Yaritzaenc13 describes her experiences as a child of Hispanic immigrants.
immigrant parentsYaritza Encarnacion
In an opinion piece, writer
Erika Sanchez elaborates on the culture gaps present in the relationships between first-generation Latinas and their immigrant mothers.
I remember, for instance, that I was punished for shaving my legs at 13 even though I only did it to avoid the ridicule of my classmates. I knew that these kinds of rules had traveled from my mother’s hometown in rural Mexico and that she did not understand how repressive they were in this culture and era, but it was still incredibly frustrating.mamiverse.com
In schools, a lack of Spanish-speaking counselors has been
linked to an adverse environment for Latino students.
@AJStream I can speak for Los Angeles & say that children from Mexican immigrants are made underprivileged by lack of educational fundsLeila ليلى
@AJStream However, I believe the biggest problem that many Latino immigrants face is the communication caps between them and theAgaila Abba
@AJStream leaders in the educational, economic, and political sectors that are hindering the Latino community from reaching its fullAgaila Abba
When seeking help for suicidal thoughts, clinical psychologist Dr. Jane Delagado
points out that while social stigmas about mental health in the Hispanic community presents a barrier: "The issue of stigma, while a reality for all people, has been overplayed. More immediate barriers are the lack of bilingual and bicultural mental health professionals..."
In this video,
Dr. Soad Michelsen talks about the misperception and denial of suicide in the Latino community.
Teen Latinas and Suicide - Part 4HopeForChildren1
In order to help Hispanic youth cope with feelings of depression, a number have programs have been created by different groups.
The Latina A.R.M.Y (Accomplished Role-Models Motivating Young Latinas) is an organisation tailored to Latinas throughout the United States to provide positive influences in the lives of Hispanic girls who need them.
Latina A.R.M.Y. Introductory videonancyrjohnson
Based in Los Angeles, California,
Las Fotos Project encourages Latina self-expression through photographs.
facebook.com
Lucy Flores , a first-generation Mexican-American from Nevada, is a Latina success story. Currently a Nevada State Assembly member, Flores has become a role model for Latina youth. In this video, she recounts her story, from growing up against the odds to overcoming adversity.
Listening to Latinas: Lucy Floresnwlcmedia
Comunilife , a New York-based healthy living service provider, has a program called
Life is Precious , dedicated to preventing suicide within the Latina population.
Comunilife
