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Life is Precious: reducing suicidal behavior in Latinas

Jennifer L. Humensky (Assistant Professor, based at Department of Psychiatry/NYS Center of Excellence for Cultural Competence, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA)
Rosa Gil (President and the CEO, based at Comunilife Inc, New York, New York, USA)
Beatriz Coronel (Director, based at Comunilife Inc, New York, New York, USA)
Rosa Cifre (Senior Vice President of Programs, based at Comunilife Inc, New York, New York, USA)
Silvia Mazzula (Assistant Professor, based at Department of Psychology, John Jay College, City University of New York, New York, USA)
Roberto Lewis-Fernández (Professor, based at New York State Center of Excellence for Cultural Competence, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA)

Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care

ISSN: 1757-0980

Article publication date: 17 June 2013

219

Abstract

Purpose

Hispanic female (Latina) adolescents have high rates of suicidal behavior. Latinas face suicide risks common to all adolescents, but also face unique risks, including family and acculturation struggles. Life is Precious (LIP), a community-based organization operating in Brooklyn and the Bronx, has developed a comprehensive suicide prevention intervention for Latinas that has been well-received by adolescents, their parents, and the community. The purpose of this paper is to describe an academic-community partnership that has been created to evaluate the program and develop an evidence-based practice (EBP) that can be replicated in other settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative and qualitative research design has been developed to evaluate the current program and identify how it can be scaled into an EBP.

Findings

To date, 55 participants have completed the baseline interview. All participants are Latinas age 12-18. In total, 84 percent were born in the USA and 89 percent report fluency in English. About one-third report having repeated a grade in school and over a quarter report a history of sexual abuse. Preliminary findings indicate the effectiveness of LIP. Since the program's inception in 2008, only three participants have been hospitalized for mental health reasons and none have attempted suicide. Participants report improvements in school and family functioning.

Practical implications

Findings may be useful in design of programs (not necessarily suicide prevention) serving immigrant, low income, and urban populations.

Originality/value

LIP is an innovative program that addresses the unique risk factors facing Latina adolescents. LIP's success makes it a promising avenue to learn about preventing suicidal behavior in this vulnerable population.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding support is provided by the New York State Center of Excellence for Cultural Competence, New York State Office of Mental Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the New York State Office of Mental Health.

Citation

L. Humensky, J., Gil, R., Coronel, B., Cifre, R., Mazzula, S. and Lewis-Fernández, R. (2013), "Life is Precious: reducing suicidal behavior in Latinas", Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, Vol. 6 No. 2/3, pp. 54-61. https://doi.org/10.1108/EIHSC-10-2013-0027

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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