Among indigenous populations, there is significant evidence that the rates of completed suicide are much higher than in the general population. The current study examines whether the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts differ when comparing an American Indian reservation sample to a US general population sample. Data were from the National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,877) and the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project (N = 3,084). The current findings indicate that there are few differences in the likelihood of suicidal behavior in conjunction with particular disorders or traumas. However, American Indians appeared more likely to make a suicide attempt and less likely to have suicidal thoughts in their lifetime when compared with the general population. Although preliminary and exploratory, findings provide evidence that suicide interventions for indigenous populations may require modification based on differential risk factors for suicide. / October 2008

Among indigenous populations, there is significant evidence that the rates of completed suicide are much higher than in the general population. The current study examines whether the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts differ when comparing an American Indian reservation sample to a US general population sample. Data were from the National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,877) and the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project (N = 3,084). The current findings indicate that there are few differences in the likelihood of suicidal behavior in conjunction with particular disorders or traumas. However, American Indians appeared more likely to make a suicide attempt and less likely to have suicidal thoughts in their lifetime when compared with the general population. Although preliminary and exploratory, findings provide evidence that suicide interventions for indigenous populations may require modification based on differential risk factors for suicide.

Among indigenous populations, there is significant evidence that the rates of completed suicide are much higher than in the general population. The current study examines whether the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation, plans and attempts differ when comparing an American Indian reservation sample to a US general population sample. Data were from the National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,877) and the American Indian Service Utilization, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Risk and Protective Factors Project (N = 3,084). The current findings indicate that there are few differences in the likelihood of suicidal behavior in conjunction with particular disorders or traumas. However, American Indians appeared more likely to make a suicide attempt and less likely to have suicidal thoughts in their lifetime when compared with the general population. Although preliminary and exploratory, findings provide evidence that suicide interventions for indigenous populations may require modification based on differential risk factors for suicide.