Cases of suicide in CNMI alarm officials
Suicide cases in Northern Marianas soared to more than 35 percent over the past seven years, majority of such cases involve Chamorro males, government records disclosed.
Despite the islands’ small population, the increasing number has stirred alarm among health officials who said suicide has become more of an unseen problem in the community.
Cases submitted to the Department of Psychiatry of the Commonwealth Health Center revealed that the victims are predominantly male, between ages of 15 and 24.
Suicide cases among young people in the Commonwealth rose from 20 percent for every 100,000 individuals in 1992 to 35 percent for every 100,000 people. These incidents primarily involve male Micronesians, particularly Chamorros.
According to psychiatry department chair Anthony A. Bottone, the rates of suicides are astronomically high and they are 325 and 303 cases per 100,000 of Micronesian males who are in the 15-19 and 20-24 age groups.
A rate of over 20 per 100,000 is regarded unusually high especially in a modestly-populated area like the CNMI.
The estimates were made by age, gender, and ethnic groups according to prior census date and commerce department projections of population growth, said Mr. Bottone.
The expert warned the rates might increase once the census 2000 results are released.
He said the US government began to include the CNMI in annual statistics only in 1998 but reports did not calculate suicide rates because of the Commonwealth’s population. The absence of the complete figure hides the problem.
“It does indicate a problem and the department is not routinely informed of these suicides unless it occurs among people who are being treated or had treated,” said Dr. Bottone.
The expert further assessed that failure of authorities to report suicide incidents have jeopardized the ability of the Commonwealth Health Center to counsel family and friends of the suicide victim.
He also admitted that suicide is a tragedy that involves various reasons, causing the victim to commit the act. He added that the act’s visible root remains unknown and developing preventative programs is difficult.
But definitely, drugs and alcohol play an important role on these cases, the expert said.
Reach out programs for young male Micronesians should be instituted immediately to prevent the increasing number of suicide cases, Dr. Bottone suggested. (EGA)
