Assessing Suicidality with the Hispanic Adult

Abstract

The Hispanic adult client at risk for suicidal behavior poses a unique challenge to clinicians. A number of important issues need to be considered in order to conduct an effective assessment with this population. The most fundamental issue is that the client must actually be attending treatment in order for a risk assessment to be conducted. As simple as this sounds, it is often most difficult to achieve with Hispanic clients. In addition to the overall problem of suicide attempters having a low rate of treatment engagement and adherence, studies have demonstrated that, as a group, Hispanics, in particular, have a very low rate of mental health service utilization. Immigration status and the immigration process are also factors that greatly impact suicide risk among Hispanic clients and should be included of any risk assessment with this population. The process of immigrating is a stressful life event and is associated with increased levels of mental health illnesses, including suicide. Immigrants at greatest risk for suicide include those who were unhappy with the decision to migrate, have low expectations for the future, experience social isolation in their host country, have low socioeconomic status, and encounter language barriers. Another key factor to consider in the assessment of suicide risk among Hispanics is the quality of family relationships of the client. As compared to non-Hispanics, Hispanics tend to place greater value on family relationships and cohesiveness. Also important to consider is fatalismo (fatalism), the belief that life is predetermined by fate. Fatalismo has been found to be a risk factor for suicide among Hispanics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)