State efforts to reduce suicides among senior citizens and young people, particularly Native Americans, considered at risk for suicide owing to various behavioral patterns, have received a $254,000 boost from a federal grant, the Department of Health (DHS) announced Dec. 6.

Nationally, elderly adults have suicide rates nearly 50 per cent higher than other age groups, and Native Americans have the highest overall suicide rate among racial minorities, the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), a national clearinghouse for suicide information, reports.

AAS also reports that adolescents with drug addiction, alcoholism and other behavioral disorders are at particular risk for suicide.

The federal funds come from the U.S. Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant program. DHS said the Legislature has not appropriated money for suicide prevention, but there are a number of local prevention programs and because of those, Arizona could become eligible for future federal funding. AAS said Arizona ranked sixth for overall suicide rates in 2002, up from 10th the year before.

Of the 807 suicide deaths in Arizona last year, 145, just under 18 per cent, were people 65 and older, said Heather Brown, DHS suicide prevention coordinator.

White males over the age of 85 are at the highest risk of suicide nationwide, more than six times the current overall suicide rate, she said. Seventy-five per cent of them had seen a physician a short time before their death.

The Arizona Child Fatality Review program reported last month that 24 children younger than 18, all but two of them boys, committed suicide in 2003. Six of them, or 25 per cent, were Native American children. Overall, Native Americans comprise 7 per cent of the Arizona’s under-18 population.

“Many of the risk factors are the same for both populations, including depression, substance abuse and mental illness,” Ms. Brown said, referring to the elderly and Native Americans.

Funds To Go To Community Groups

The grant money will go to community agencies for suicide prevention training, education and public awareness programs. There are nine formal suicide prevention programs in the state, and eight of them target senior citizens and Native Americans in seven tribes.

“Most suicidal individuals do not want to die,” Ms. Brown said. “They just want to end the pain they are experiencing. When suicidal intent or risk is detected, lives can be saved.”

She said it is common for people to talk about suicide before they attempt it. Other warning signs are:

• Drastic behavioral changes.

• Social withdrawal

• Changes in eating and sleeping patterns

• Previous suicide attempts

• Getting rid of valued personal possessions

• Preoccupation with death and dying

• Increased use of drugs or alcohol

For further information: 1-800-SUICIDE or 602-222-9444. —