Suicide Rates by Race: Latino Teens Less Likely to Commit Suicide than Whites; U.S. Born Women Likely to Commit than Foreign Born, Studies Say

Formerly known as the Archives of General Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry has noted that one in 25 U.S. teenagers has attempted suicide while one in eight has at least thought of it.

The JAMA Psychiatry study included 6,483 teenagers participating between the ages of 13 and 18 and details provided by their parents.

According to a previous study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it was seen that while Hispanics are less likely to commit suicide when compared to non-Hispanics in the 15 to 19 year old age group, they do show "serious psychological stress" when over the 18 years of age compared to non-Hispanics.

When reaching 18 years, Hispanics appeared to show feeling of hopelessness, sadness, and worthlessness at a higher rate than non-Hispanic whites.

"This is very complicated," said National Alliance for Hispanic Health President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jane Delgado to VOXXI. "While actual suicide rates are lower for Hispanics ages 15- 19 than for non-Hispanic whites (6.0 vs. 8.9); suicide ideation and attempts occur at a higher rate among Hispanics and especially among Hispanics girls."

According to Dr. Delgado, noting women, females born outside of the U.S. are les likely to attempt suicide than first generation females born in the U.S.

"Adolescence is the transition from childhood to adulthood and while we know that it is a difficult time for most young people, it is even more difficult when a person has to negotiate the cultural norms of their family with those of the larger society," added Delgado.

The doctor's statement almost falls into what JAMA Psychiatry indicated, that teenage girls were more likely than boys to attempt suicide but boys have higher suicide rates than girls.

For more on JAMA Psychiatry's study, click here.