New study examines increasing suicide rates in Asian American youth

Soundside

This week (September 8th to 14th) is National Suicide Prevention Week.

Deaths by suicide in young people have risen by more than 60% in recent decades. And in 2022, it was the second leading cause of death for people aged 10-14.

Behind that tragic statistic is a lot of nuance, though.

For example: Alaska Natives, American Indians, and White youth are more likely to take their own lives than their Asian American peers. But researchers say even that statistic masks the reality of suicide rates in Asian American young people, and that rates vary greatly by subgroup.

Soundside spoke with Dr. Anthony L. Bui, lead author of a study that looked at suicide rates in Asian American youth. Dr. Bui is also an acting assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a researcher at the Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

He believes that by better understanding the background of individuals at risk, we can develop culturally specific and more effective approaches to youth mental health care.

Dr. Bui's study was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics.

During our conversation Dr. Bui noted the importance of reaching out to professionals like school therapists when you are concerned about the youth in your life.

Soundside called up one of those school-based, child mental health specialists -- Ana Short -- to learn more about what culturally appropriate health care for young people may look like in practice.

Correction notice, 2:13p.m. on Thursday, 9/12/2024: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Ana Short worked for Internal Community Health Services. This story has been amended to the correct employer: International Community Health Services.

Guests:

• Dr. Anthony L Bui, acting assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
• Ana Short, child mental health specialist with International Community Health Services.

Related Links:

• Suicide rates differ in subgroups of young Asian Americans - UW Medicine | Newsroom
• More Asian young people are dying by suicide — and some subgroups are faring worse than others (nbcnews.com)

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