Suicides Among Non-Elderly Adult Hispanics, 2010–2020

Abstract

Most research on suicides focuses on youth or the elderly and dominant groups of a population. The purpose of this study was to assess suicide trends for non-elderly adult Hispanics (age 20–64 years) over the past decade (2010–2020). Data from the Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) were analyzed for the study period. Suicides for Hispanics in 2010 were the 7th leading cause of death and became the 5th leading cause of death by 2020. During the decade of analyses, suicide rates increased 35.7% for males and 40.6% for females. Non-elderly Hispanic males were most likely to die by hanging/suffocation (2010 = 42%, 2020 = 41%), or firearms (2010 = 39%, 2020 = 42%). Whereas, Hispanic adult females were most likely to use hanging/suffocation (2010 = 36%, 2020 = 43%) or poisoning (2010 = 27%, 2020 = 19%) for completed suicides. In 2020, the top three states for non-elderly Hispanic adult suicides (per 100,000 population) were Colorado (25.52), New Mexico (23.99), and Utah (21.73). The Hispanic population continues to grow, but also faces chronicity of prejudice, underemployment, lack of healthcare access, multiple stressors, and rising levels of suicide. The reduction of adult Hispanic suicides would require additional resources, interventions, and research to understand prevention and risk factors.

Self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and perceived likelihood of suicide attempt among Latinx individuals who experience acculturative stress

“…Initial evidence has signaled the presence of racial and ethnic suicide-related disparities during the pandemic, including findings of elevated suicide risk among African American individuals ( Bray et al, 2021 ), a significantly higher proportion of suicide deaths from racial minority groups ( Mitchell & Li, 2021 ), and psychosocial stress and suicidal ideation markedly affecting Latinx adults in a disproportionate manner ( McKnight-Eily et al, 2021 ). Given that suicide rates among Latinx adults have steadily risen over the past decade ( Garnett et al, 2022 ; Khubchandani and Price, 2022 ), there is a need to examine the relationship between COVID-19 symptoms and suicide risk among Latinx persons uniquely. Moreover, it is posited that COVID-19 impairment (i.e., the experience of symptoms) is likely to interact with more chronic vulnerabilities to result in suicide risk ( Banerjee et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Suicide has increased nearly 70% for Latinx adults over the last decade ( Khubchandani and Price, 2022 ), shifting the historically lower rates of suicide among Latinx adults compared to other ethnic groups (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System [ CDC WISQARS, 2020 ]). Given the ongoing rise in suicide rates for Latinx persons and the psychological impact of the SARS-Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, research investigating social determinants of health contributing to suicide risk during the COVID-19 pandemic for this population is imperative.…”

Suicide Among Older Hispanic Adults: A Call to Action

“…Practitioners, health educators, and clinicians need to engage in the promotion of equitable healthcare access and increase provider services to populations at-risk for suicide.There has been a rapid increase in suicidal behaviors by adult Hispanic populations. From 2010 to 2020, suicide rates among Hispanics increased by 35.7% for males and 40.6% for females (Khubchandani & Price, 2022). Hispanic males and females were more likely to take their own life by hanging/suffocation methods.…”

“…There has been a rapid increase in suicidal behaviors by adult Hispanic populations. From 2010 to 2020, suicide rates among Hispanics increased by 35.7% for males and 40.6% for females (Khubchandani & Price, 2022). Hispanic males and females were more likely to take their own life by hanging/suffocation methods.…”

“…Hispanic males and females were more likely to take their own life by hanging/suffocation methods. Further, in 2020, suicide became the 5th leading cause of death among Hispanic adults in the United States (Khubchandani & Price, 2022), highlighting the need to investigate further these trends and behaviors among this population.…”