Minority Groups

Native American/Alaska Native

American Indian and Alaska Native adolescents have the highest rate of suicide of all ethnic groups (more than twice the rate of any other group; males are at four times the risk). The age distribution of suicide rates for Native Americans is quite unlike that for the general population, because of the high rates among young adults and lower rates among the elderly. Native Americans have a lower proportion of firearm related suicides than found in the U.S. population. Patterns and rates of suicide among Native Americans differ greatly from region to region.

Hispanic

Hispanic females are the most likely to report seriously considering suicide of any ethnic group.

African American

Although black youths have historically had a lower suicide rate than have whites, during 1980-1995, the suicide rate for black youths age 10-19 years increased from 2.1 to 4.5 per 100,000 populations. In 1995, suicide was the third leading cause of death among blacks aged 15-19 years. The suicidal behavior among youths has increased; however, rates for black youths have increased more, and the gap between rates for black and white youths have narrowed.

Gay/Lesbian

Studies show that gay and lesbian youth are at least 3 times more likely than heterosexual youth to attempt suicide.

• In a study of gay male and lesbian youth suicide, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services found lesbian and gay youth are two to six more times more likely to attempt suicide than other youth and account for up to 30 percent of all completed suicides.

• In a study of 686 gay men, 337 heterosexual men, 293 lesbian women and 140 heterosexual women - the gay men were 6 times more likely than the heterosexual men to attempt suicide and the lesbian women were 2 times more likely than heterosexual women to attempt.

• In a study of homeless youth, gay and lesbian youth were 3.5 times more likely than heterosexual youth to attempt suicide.