The Sustained Reduction of Youth Suicidal Behavior in an Urban, Multicultural School District

An 18-year longitudinal case study of the suicide rates of Florida students attending a large, urban, multicultural school district between 1989-2006 is described. The high rate of suicide (5.5 per 100,000 students, ages 5-19) in the district during 1980-1988 led to the development & implementation of a district-wide prevention & intervention program incorporating universal, selected, & indicated strategies. Suicide & suicide attempt data were collected from crisis hotline reports. Since the program started, a significant decrease in the suicide rate (1.4 per 100,000) was observed from 1989-2006. A steady decline in the suicide attempt rate was also noted. (27 refs.)