Toward understanding suicide among youths: results from the White Mountain Apache tribally mandated suicide surveillance system, 2001-2006.

ARIZONA; UNITED States

OBJECTIVES: We examined suicide and suicide attempt rates, patterns, and risk factors among White Mountain Apache youths (aged < 25 years) from 2001 to 2006 as the first phase of a community-based participatory research process to design and evaluate suicide prevention interventions. METHODS: Apache paraprofessionals gathered data as part of a tribally mandated suicide surveillance system. We compared findings to other North American populations. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2006, 61% of Apache suicides occurred among youths younger than 25 years. Annual rates among those aged 15 to 24 years were highest: 128.5 per 100 000, 13 times the US all-races rate and 7 times the American Indian and Alaska Native rate. The annual suicide attempt incidence rate in this age group was 3.5%. The male-to-female ratio was 5:1 for suicide and approximately 1:1 for suicide attempts. Hanging was the most common suicide method, and third most common attempt method. The most frequently cited attempt precipitants were family or intimate partner conflict. CONCLUSIONS: An innovative tribal surveillance system identified high suicide and attempt rates and unique patterns and risk factors of suicidal behavior among Apache youths. Findings are guiding targeted suicide prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]