More isle youths
try suicide

A state report reveals the rate
of self-directed violence is higher
than the national average

Hawaii students have higher rates than the national average in self-directed violence, including suicide attempts, and youth reports on fear of going to school, according to a study released by the state Department of Health.

The 100-page report, "Ending Violence: A 2004 Status Report on Violence Prevention in Hawaii," also said Hawaii had lower than national rates for interpersonal violence, including homicide, violent crime, rape and youth fights.

State health official Therese Argoud said the report is the first of its kind to take a comprehensive look at the status of violence and prevention efforts in Hawaii.

Argoud, the state child and injury prevention coordinator, said the report is intended to help decision-makers and professionals develop a common understanding about violence in Hawaii and a basic "report card."

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Dan Yahata, chairman of the Suicide Prevention Steering Committee, made up of public and private groups and individuals, said the report shows the need to focus attention and resources on suicide prevention.

"Self-directed violence like suicide is a major public health concern and silent epidemic," Yahata said.

Hawaii's youth self-reporting attempted suicide rate averaged about 12 percent during a 10-year period, with a 13.4 percent high in 2001, compared to a national average of 8.4 percent, the report said.

The report, released yesterday, also showed that about 7 percent of Hawaii students felt too unsafe to go to school one or more days in a month, compared with nearly 5 percent nationally.

Debbie Goebert, a board member with the community group Prevent Violence Hawaii who helped to develop the report, said the percentages about youth suicide and fear of going to school came from a behavioral study questionnaire filled out by students every other year.

Goebert said the overall suicide rate was about the same as the national average for youths in Hawaii, except among some groups such as native Hawaiian students.

"Hawaiian youths are at the highest risk," Goebert said.

She said youth suicides could be linked to a number of factors, including substance abuse, poverty, poor school work and traumatic events.

"We found there's a strong correlation between substance abuse in adolescence and depression in adolescence," she said.

Goebert said state health officials have reconvened a suicide-prevention task force that is seeking federal money for suicide-prevention programs.

Goebert said a Native American program that has been effective provides "Gatekeeper Training," instructing select teachers, security guards and students to identify suicide-prone youths.

She said the level of student violence is a reflection of the community's acceptance of it.

Goebert said what seems to be effective nationally in dealing with student problems is to make parents responsible for their children's behavior.

To review a copy of the study, visit the state Department of Health's Web site at www.hawaii.gov/health.