Suicide in South Asian Americans: An Emerging Public Health Problem

Background Significance: The South Asian population is one of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the United States but remains underrepresented in public health research and literature. An emphasis on studying Asian Americans as an aggregate masks the health disparities among different ethnic groups and prevents the development of culturally tailored prevention and treatments. South Asians in the United States are at elevated risk for mental health disorders, along with suicide thoughts and behavior. Stigmas associated with mental health and suicidality within the community are well documented. South Asians have been faced with challenges with assimilation into western culture and simultaneously retaining traditional cultural values.  Basic information about the rates of major mental disorders in a community sample has not been examined for South Asian Americans. There is a growing perception among leaders that mental health problems within the South Asian community are going untreated, with few mental health services that are specifically tailored to meet their communities’ needs. This study examines familial and environmental risk factors along with prior reports of suicidality and mental health disorders from a sample of South Asian Americans who died by suicide.

Methods Participants in the current study were men and women who died in DuPage County, Illinois, during the years 2012-2017, of South Asian descent. The sample consisted of (n=14;11 males, 3 females) whose deaths were classified as suicide. Investigative reports were collected which included family/informant interviews, coroners’ inquest notes, methods of suicide, employment status, marital status, and other relevant notes. We used a qualitative approach using thematic analysis to identify risk factors and other attributes specific for each suicide. A descriptive approach on the suicide cases was adopted in the present study.  

Results: The age range for completed suicides was (min=16; max=71; mean=47.6).  The most prevalent method of suicide was hanging (n=9; 64.3%), followed by blunt force from vehicle/train (n=2; 14.3%), thermal injuries (n=2; 14.3%), and overdose (n=1;7.3%).  The highest prevalence of the suicides occurred at victims’ residence (n=9; 64.3%), and 8 out of the 14 (57.1%) victims had prior history of depression, suicide attempt or suicide ideation.  Our thematic analysis found family problems, financial problems, lack of social support, and marital problems as common explanatory factors.

Conclusion and Implications: There is a substantial gap in existing literature regarding prevalence, risk factors, of suicide thoughts and behavior among South Asian Americans. There are several implications for Social Work practice as suicide rates in the community are rising but have not been systematically addressed. Further research needs to be conducted to identify culture specific risk factors that will lead to prevention and targeted interventions.