Synopsis for June 11, 2004

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EST.

1. Methods of Suicide Among Persons Aged 10-19 Years — United States, 1992-2001
2. Suicide Attempts and Physical Fighting Among High School Students — United States, 2001
3. School-Associated Suicides — United States, 1994-1999
4. Suicide Among Hispanics — United States, 1997-2001
5. Suicide and Attempted Suicide — China, 1990-2002
6. West Nile Virus Activity — United States, June 2-8, 2004
   

Synopsis for June 11, 2004

The methods used by children and teens to commit suicide changed significantly over the last decade, with the proportion that involved firearms decreasing substantially, while at the same time suffocation suicides (mostly hanging) increased. The possibility that youth and teens at risk seek these readily available methods leads CDC researchers to believe that suicide prevention efforts should reach out to troubled youth much earlier—before the development of suicidal thoughts and pressures.

The methods used by children and teens to commit suicide changed significantly over the last decade, with the proportion that involved firearms decreasing substantially, while suffocation suicides (mostly hanging) increased. Among those aged 10 to 14 years old, suffocation is currently the most common suicide method, occurring nearly twice as often as firearms, which had been the most frequently-used method prior to 1997, according to one of several suicide-related studies released in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR today. The possibility that youth and teens at risk seek these readily available methods leads CDC researchers to believe that suicide prevention efforts should reach out to troubled youth much earlier—before the development of suicidal thoughts and pressures.

Suicide Attempts and Physical Fighting Among High School Students — United States, 2001

Efforts to prevent youth interpersonal violence might also reduce risk for suicidal behavior. Additional research is needed to understand the factors that influence risk for fighting and suicidal behavior and to evaluate whether prevention strategies can provide the skills and support that students need to avoid both behaviors.

One in twenty high school students reported both suicide attempts and involvement in physical fights in the past year, according to one of several suicide-related studies released in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR today. While suicide is commonly associated with internalizing problems such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, CDC researchers believe there is a link between violent behaviors directed at oneself and violent behaviors directed at others. Efforts to prevent youth interpersonal violence might also reduce risk for suicidal behavior. Additional research is needed to understand the factors that influence risk for fighting and suicidal behavior and to evaluate whether prevention strategies can provide the skills and support that students need to avoid both behaviors.

School-Associated Suicides — United States, 1994-1999

Of the 28 students who committed a school-associated suicide between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1999, the majority had no history of criminal charges, fighting with peers or disobedient behavior. Future suicide prevention strategies should include school-based efforts to identify and assist not only the students who have been aggressive or disruptive in the past, but also those who are showing signs of depression, describing suicidal thoughts, or having difficulty coping with social stressors.

More than 20 percent of the 126 lethal acts of school violence carried out by students, between July 1, 1994 and June 30, 1999, were suicides, according to one of several suicide-related studies released in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR today. The majority of these 28 suicide victims had no history of criminal charges, fighting with peers or disobedient behavior, though eight intentionally injured someone else immediately before their suicide. CDC researchers believe that there is an important overlap between risk for interpersonal violence and risk for suicide. Future suicide prevention strategies should include school-based efforts to identify and assist not only the students who have been aggressive or disruptive in the past, but also those who are showing signs of depression, describing suicidal thoughts, or having difficulty coping with social stressors.

Suicide Among Hispanics — United States, 1997-2001

Hispanic youth are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and account for one fourth of Hispanic suicide deaths. Prevention efforts for this population must be culturally appropriate and address such issues as the effects of physical and mental health, immigration, acculturation, religious beliefs, substance abuse and access to health care.

More than half of all suicides among Hispanics occur among those aged 10-34 years and Hispanic males are almost six times as likely to commit suicide as Hispanic females, according to one of several suicide-related studies released in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR today. Hispanic youth are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and account for one fourth of Hispanic suicide deaths. They also report more feelings of sadness or hopelessness and of suicidal ideation and attempt compared to their white or black non-Hispanic counterparts. Prevention efforts for Hispanics must be culturally appropriate and address such issues as the effects of physical and mental health, immigration, acculturation, religious beliefs, substance abuse, and access to health care.

Suicide and Attempted Suicide — China, 1990-2002

As the fifth leading cause of death in China, suicide is one of the most devastating and challenging public health problems. Currently Chinese leaders are working with CDC experts to develop a national suicide prevention plan as recommended by the World Health Organization and the United Nations.

As the fifth leading cause of death in China, suicide is one of the most devastating and challenging public health problems in that country, according to one of several suicide-related studies released in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) MMWR today. More than 287,000 Chinese were victims of suicide between 1995 and 1999. Suicides and suicide attempts were most common among young Chinese women between the ages of 15 and 34. To address this and other challenges, including the lack of strong cultural prohibitions against suicide, China is seeking to understand and target the unique nature of suicide among its residents through research and prevention efforts. Currently Chinese leaders are working with CDC experts to develop a national suicide prevention plan as recommended by the World Health Organization and the United Nations.

West Nile Virus Activity — United States, June 2-8, 2004

No summary available

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