[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK

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                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 2003

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, nearly all of our lives have been touched by 
suicide at some point, be it a family member, neighbor or friend. It 
represents the darkest moment in a life, and inevitably touches many 
other lives with sadness and curiosity.
  Suicide is a mental health issue that crosses racial boundaries and 
deeply affects every community in the United States. The Hispanic 
community is no exception. As in most communities, Hispanics find 
suicide a difficult topic to broach. The stigma still attached to 
mental health issues makes asking for help difficult; but the most 
overwhelming problem for most Hispanics is access to care that will 
benefit them.
  In 2000, 18% of Hispanic females aged 12-17 were considered at risk 
for suicide, compared to 16% of white females and 8% of Hispanic males. 
Only 32 percent of Hispanic female youths at risk for suicide receive 
mental health treatment, according to the 2000 National Household 
Survey on Drug Abuse.
  In 1997, the Attorney General reported a national survey of high 
school students showed that Hispanic adolescents reported more suicide 
attempts proportionally than both whites and blacks.
  Among Hispanic Americans with a mental disorder, fewer than 1 in 11 
contact mental health specialists, while fewer than 1 in 5 contact 
general health care providers. The figure is even worse among Hispanic 
immigrants with mental disorders where fewer than 1 in 20 use services 
from mental health specialists, while fewer than 1 in 10 use services 
from general health care providers.
  Many times access to mental health services can be difficult for 
individuals in Hispanic communities, due to language barriers, which 
keep them from accessing the critical assistance they need to cope with 
their illness.
  Mr. Speaker, suicide is a serious problem among Hispanics, and other 
Americans. I want to thank Congresswoman Napolitano and Congressman 
Murphy for organizing the Mental Health Caucus to bring members 
together to shine light on the dark topic of suicide. I also thank the 
gentlewoman from Brownsville, Texas for organizing this special order 
to draw attention to this important subject.

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