Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117379

Maurissa Koide, BA, Ingrid Ochoa, BA, Lisa F. Parks, BA, and Alberto Perez-Rendon, MD. Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, 3507 Rafter Ridge Dr, San Jose, CA 95127, 408-394-9156, missmak@msn.com

Suicidal behavior among African American youth is a much overlooked public health issue. A qualitative assessment was conducted in San Francisco, California to examine suicidal behavior and associated risk and protective factors among African American youth ages 10-19. Possible interventions and potential barriers and opportunities were also explored. Twenty qualitative interviews were conducted with key informants representing providers from the mental health, social services, justice, and education systems, and religious community in four neighborhoods.

Key informants perceive that there is a high prevalence of hopelessness and depression among African American youth in the four neighborhoods, and that a relationship exists between hopelessness and depression and a range of behaviors that African American youth engage in that put them at high risk for poor health outcomes. Additionally, key informants perceive that suicidal behavior does occur among African American youth, but at low rates compared to youth from other racial groups. However, key informants suggested that the prevalence can only be elucidated by first expanding the definition of suicidal behavior to be more relevant to African American youth's experiences. An expanded definition would include suicidal behavior associated with high-risk behavior such as dangerous substance use and gang involvement, as well as suicidal behavior in which a person deliberately places themselves in a position where they are likely to be killed.

Findings suggest that additional research and public discussion is needed to support the development culturally and age-relevant approaches to simultaneously addressing a range of behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the continuum of behaviors included under the umbrella term “suicidal behavior” as defined by the World Health Organization.
• Identify risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior among African American youth according to current research and findings from a health assessment conducted in San Francisco, California.
• Recognize emerging ideas on the relationship between risk-taking behavior, self-harming behavior, self-directed violence, and violence directed toward others.

Keywords: Suicide, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.