10 June 2004

by Anai Rhoads

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AnaiRhoads.org - Research conducted by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was printed in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Thursday, showing an alarming rate of suicide among 10-14 year olds.

Researchers found a connection between inter-personal violence and suicide. The report illustrates that 1 in 20 high school students who thought about suicide in the past year had also been involved in fights during school.

"Suicide remains the third leading cause of death among young people in this country (U.S.A.)," said Dr. Ileana Arias, acting director of CDC's Injury Centre. "We must focus on the underlying reasons for suicide and a comprehensive strategy to prevent them."

Hispanic males are almost six times as likely to commit suicide than Hispanic females. These numbers represent 85 percent of the 8,744 Hispanic suicides between 1997 and 2001.

The numbers are not exclusive to America. In China, more than 287,000 people were victims of suicide annually between 1995 and 1999, making suicide the fifth leading cause of death in the country.

According to the World Health Organisation, suicide is the 13th leading cause of death world-wide. In 2002, an estimated 124,409 visits to U.S. emergency rooms were reported alone.

The CDC believes the findings will help the communities, parents, doctors and teachers, know the signs of suicide before its too late.

Resources:

American Association of Suicidology www.suicidology.org or call 1 (202) 237-2280

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) www.nimh.nih.gov

National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Goals and Objectives for Action www.mentalhealth.org/suicidepreventio n/

National Suicide Prevention Strategy www.sg.gov/library/calltoaction/

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