Citation

Betz ME, Krzyzaniak SM, Hedegaard HB, Lowenstein SR. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2011; 41(4): 445-452.

Affiliation

Marian E.Betz and Steven R.Lowenstein, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Sara M.Krzyzaniak, Denver Health Emergency Medicine Residency, Denver, Colorado; HollyHedegaard, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1943-278X.2011.00044.x

PMID

21631574

Abstract

All suicides by Hispanics (n = 434) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 3,370) in Colorado from 2004 to 2008 using the Violent Death Reporting System were examined. Hispanic victims were significantly younger. Adjusting for age and gender, Hispanic victims were less likely to have reported depressed mood [odds ratio (OR) 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63-0.97], mental health diagnosis (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.41-0.7), or current psychiatric treatment (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.43-0.77). There were no differences in reports of financial, relationship, job, or legal stresses. Hispanic suicides were equally likely to be by overdose, firearm, or hanging, but more likely to be in jail (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.55-4.65). To prevent suicides, stronger partnerships are needed among public health, medical, mental health, and criminal justice professionals.

Language: en