"Suicidio:" death translates to Hispanic teens

"600 Words" by Esther J. Cepeda

Hispanic teens are screaming for your help, can you hear them?

The Centers for Disease Control, in their biannual National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, recently reported that in 2007 the attempted suicide rate for Hispanic teens was 17.5 percent, compared to 11.6 percent for blacks and whites.

In their survey of 14,000 U.S. high school students, the CDC also found that while fewer whites and blacks drink, smoke and engage in sexual activity now than 16 years ago, Hispanic teens have made no progress. Sadly, horribly – in the death department, they've gotten more organized: more than one in ten (1.3) Latinos and Latinas (1.4) had a suicide plan.

Having been a high school bilingual algebra teacher I can tell you it wasn't just the gang-banger-wannabes, the straight-from-the-farm-immigrants, or the "emos" (those sporting a style of dress reminiscent of the 80's new-wave style which leans into all-black "Goth" clothing indicating depression, but features splashes of color which symbolize strong emotions), who have serious emotional issues they want you to recognize, it’s the good, popular students, too.

In a story published in Hispanic Link Weekly Report, Glenn Flores, professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, is quoted thusly about why the rates of suicide attempts are higher among Hispanic youth. "One can speculate that it may relate to a combination on the extra stress of being caught between two cultures and languages…along with poor mental health care for Latinos," he says.

Understatement of the year!

According to the data, in 1991, the number of Hispanic high school students attempting suicide one or more times in the previous months was 7.9 percent. It spiked at 13.6 percent in '93, fell with some blips – one in 2005, which coincided with the rise in public animosity toward illegal immigration – and settled at 10.2 percent in 2007.

During all this time, few of the environmental factors have changed: these kids were still living in a society completely new and in many ways completely at odds with their parents' country of origin – a reality universal to all first generation Americans. Even when language isn't a barrier, trying to navigate the "old culture" while trying to fit into the new one they're immersed in is no walk in the park.

The culture at home – I generalize Hispanic households here – is one where rigid Catholicism is a main driver, and "depression" doesn't exist. If you're reading this and you're Hispanic, raise your hand if you ever heard the following statement: "Sad? What in the world do you have to be sad about? When I was your age we didn't have shoes or running water, we had nothing. You have nothing to be sad about."

And forget, for a moment, troubled kids – those with alcoholism or abuse in their families, those tied to rough gang-types, those who don't have a lot going for them – the "good kids" have serious struggles as well.

Again, raise your hand if you know what it's like to be the shining beacon of hope for your family, with all the promise of the family's future – and, not coincidentally – and all the weight of the world on your shoulders. First to go to college? Going to get in trouble if you don't get straight A's? Depended on to better the family's life? Some of you already know what I'm talking about.

These are but few examples from the spark-eliciting process of blending cultures with generations with sexes and new experiences during the torrid teen years.

None of these are judgements – many of these cultural norms and expectations have positive aspects, and a rightful place in the context of the immigrant and first-generation experience – they are simply realities you, and everyone who comes into contact with a young Latino man or woman, should know.

And don't fall into your own despair, there's nothing but upside here: now that you know, keep your eyes and ears open and just be there. Your informed, nosy, well-intentioned intrusion into a surly teen's life can make all the difference in the world.

Esther J. Cepeda writes the “600 Words” & “Pregunta del Dia” columns, and is also a Director at the Chicago-based United Neighborhood Organization. Her reporting and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of UNO. “600 words” is a registered trademark of EeJayCee, Inc., Copyright 2008. May be reprinted with permission, contact eejaycee@600words.com

Comments

[Frank Bowers]

Esther, I come up over near Camp Polk, La in the late 30's and early 40's as a matter of fact Gen. G Patton trained his 3rd Army around my home during 42-43 and we were very poor. we did not reqalize/know this; as, so was most near all others, I stated to the first grade w/o shoes. The clothes were just plain overall's and a shirt no under clothes as we did not know what they were.
We had no shoes so no socks. we thought everthing was okay and then came November or Dec. we usually got a pair of shoes and sometimes a pair of socks.
I though am not hispanic nor am I black, we did not expect hand outs and would not except them so that was not the question. My sisters never got pregant nor did I impregant any girls nor did my brothers I notice here in Austinkm hardly a mexican/hispanic girl over 16 without a child and not one over 18 with out 3 or 4 and no husband and no papers for themselves. Why is it today the hispanic come to our country and expect free food, free housing, free school and free medical assistance delivery of their illegal children. I am, as you know, 70 years of age borned 11/12/1937 (during the day time so I am bright eyed) I have never received one free meal by a church or the state or any other means, or state of federal check until I turned 65 and got S/S.
Yet here in Texas in the Capital, Austin, we have more illegal aliens than legal citizens both hispanic and white, black. I went to the County with a lady just today she is a legal resident of hispanic decent borned in southern mexico some where and is 68. She is experiencing some problems with a brain tumor and they turned her down for aid and while there I was told they could not ask the clients if they were legal or not. She was turned down as she get $635. per month S/S for any addition assistance where as not one of the women of hispanic culture/nationality could speak English Mrs. Cantu could and she told me that the women had multiple children and many were pregant and told the lady they had no man.
I think it is time the legal mexicans starts trying to aid themselves and turning in the illegals, they are robbing the ones who are legal as wsell as the American whites and blacks.
What is your view.
As a matter of fact why not write an article asking the residents of America to express their views on how to weed out the illegals to make our services for the leatgal aliens there when it is needed by them.
Frank Bowers of Austin, TX