Culturally Tailored Depression/Suicide Prevention in Latino Youth: Community Perspectives.
Rebecca E Ford-Paz, Christine Reinhard, Andrea Kuebbeler, Richard Contreras, Bernadette Sánchez
Author Information
Rebecca E Ford-Paz: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Box 10B, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. rfordpaz@luriechildrens.org.
Christine Reinhard: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Andrea Kuebbeler: Alternatives, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA.
Richard Contreras: Healthcare Alternative Systems, Chicago, IL, USA.
Bernadette Sánchez: DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Latino adolescents are at elevated risk for depression and suicide compared to other ethnic groups. Project goals were to gain insight from community leaders about depression risk factors particular to Latino adolescents and generate innovative suggestions to improve cultural relevance of prevention interventions. This project utilized a CBPR approach to enhance cultural relevance, acceptability, and utility of the findings and subsequent program development. Two focus groups of youth and youth-involved Latino community leaders (n = 18) yielded three overarching themes crucial to a culturally tailored depression prevention intervention: (1) utilize a multipronged and sustainable intervention approach, (2) raise awareness about depression in culturally meaningful ways, and (3) promote Latino youth's social connection and cultural enrichment activities. Findings suggest that both adaptation of existing prevention programs and development of hybrid approaches may be necessary to reduce depression/suicide disparities for Latino youth. One such hybrid program informed by community stakeholders is described.
References
Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2001 Spring;31 Suppl:6-31
[PMID: 11326760]
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999 Dec;38(12):1497-505
[PMID: 10596249]
