Experts struggle to prevent Latina suicides in Brooklyn

Gillibrand, Velazquez lead panel discussion

October 13, 2014 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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An alarmingly high number of teenage Latinas in Brooklyn, 16.4 percent, tried to commit suicide in 2013, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That’s an increase from 2011, when 11.6 percent of young Latinas in the borough attempted to take their own lives.

The troubling statistics were part of a panel discussion on suicide prevention led by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn-Manhattan) and leaders of Life is Precious, a program run by Comunilife, an organization that provides assistance to immigrants and underprivileged residents.

The discussion, which featured presentations from medical experts, took place Oct. 6 at Comunilife’s Brooklyn headquarters in Williamsburg.

The goal of the panel discussion was to raise public awareness of the serious problem of Latinas and suicide, highlight intervention measures, assess governmental response and promote culturally sensitive solutions, participants said.

“Too many of our young Latinas across the county are contemplating and attempting suicide,” Gillibrand said. “Alarmingly, this number has nearly doubled in the last two years in some communities – with attempts increasing in Brooklyn and Queens. This round-table gives our young Latinas a voice and lets them know that they do not have to suffer in silence because they have dedicated advocates fighting for them right here in New York and in Washington, D.C.”

The number of teenage Latinas who contemplate suicide is also staggering, according to experts. In 2013, 23.5 percent of Latinas in Brooklyn gave serious thought to ending it all.

“Programs like Life is Precious literally save lives in our community by reducing suicide among Latinas. This discussion will raise awareness and help expand Life is Precious’ successes to reach more young Hispanic women,” Velázquez said.

Dr. Rosa Gil, president and CEO of Comunilife, called suicides among Latinas a growing epidemic. “The statistics have never been more staggering and the time has never been more pertinent to act. In Brooklyn and Staten Island, nearly a quarter of the Latina teen population contemplates suicide and they’ve experienced a five percent growth in attempts over the last two years,” she said. “Our girls need help, and today’s panel and discussion is an important step for our community.”

In June, the CDC released its 2013 Youth High Risk Behavior Survey (read the full CDC report here), which revealed that nationally, 26 percent of Latina teens contemplated suicide, up five percent from 2011.

The reasons are complicated, experts said. According to a 2013 Al Jazeera report, many young Latinas are first-generation Americans who find themselves caught between the traditional ways of their parents and their desire to fit in with the modern world. Girls who have a strained relationship with their mothers are also at higher risk, according to the report.