Preventing suicide in cultural and ethnic minority groups (PDF)

Nearly one million people die by suicide each year (WHO, 2011). The rates have increased in the last 45 years by 60% making suicide one of the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 years. In some countries suicide is a leading cause of death in young people. There are common approaches to suicide prevention, but they may be more effective in some population groups than others. In part this is because different groups within a country may have different levels of risk. The factors that promote suicide and prevent suicide vary significantly for different population groups. Understanding these differences could be the basis of equitable suicide prevention strategies. But, unfortunately, despite the fact that countries are becoming more diverse than ever. Despite the fact that there are over 20 major urban centers with more than 1,000,000 immigrants. Despite the fact that economic, religious and cultural diversity is increasing and despite the fact that there are high recorded suicide rates in Aboriginal. Maori, First Nations and Inuit people, more often than not at country level there is too little information on differential risk and too little information on effective prevention strategies for policy makers to act on.This ebook of EIHSC goes some way to filling that gap. We include a diverse group of papers reporting on rates, risk factors and strategies for prevention of suicide in diverse populations. They will be of use for those trying to ensure that suicide prevention is equitable in their country or locality.