NEW YORK DAILY NEWS – Thursday, February 11, 2010

Suicide prevention program Life Is Precious

is lifeline for young Latinas

By Albor Ruiz – aruiz@nydailynews.com

Juventud, Divino tesoro ..."

That's how the great Nicaraguan poet, Rubén Darío, characterized what is supposed to be the happiest
period of our lives: Youth, divine treasure ....

But for many young people in the U.S., especially Latina teenagers, youth is far from being a treasure.
Every year, more and more attempt to take their own lives.

"There is a suicide epidemic among Latina teenagers," said Dr. Rosa Gil, the creator of Life Is
Precious, a suicide prevention program for Latina teens and their families. "It is a great tragedy in our
community."

Indeed, statistics tell a heartbreaking story of despair and helplessness.

A 2007 survey of high school students found that one out of every seven Latina teens, or 14%,
attempts suicide. The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also
found that Latina high school students have higher attempted suicide rates than white non-Hispanic
(7.7%) or black non-Hispanic (9.9%) girls.

In New York City, the number of suicide attempts by Latina girls is even higher than the national average.

Obviously, there is a tremendous need for programs such as Life Is Precious.

The program opened in the Bronx in 2008 and proved effective in reducing suicide attempts. It
recently expanded to Brooklyn, "thanks to the generosity of Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY)," Gil
said.

Statistics show an alarming incidence of depression and suicide attempts among Latina adolescents in
Velázquez's Congressional District 12, which includes Bushwick, Greenpoint and Williamsburg.
The area is served by Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center.

In 2008, of the 200 adolescents younger than 18 who sought emergency help for suicide attempts or
suicidal thoughts at Woodhall, 45% were Latinas, says G

The reasons for this epidemic are complex.

"Cultural shock is one. The mothers come from other countries but the girls are born here," Gil
said. "Add to the cultural conflicts the reality of poverty, low-wage jobs, inadequate housing - all
this increases the adolescents' stress and depression," Gil said.

Domestic violence also is part of this tragic equation. Many Latina girls, Gil said, are either
victims themselves or have been exposed to domestic violence in their families.

Life Is Precious is not a mental health clinic, Gil said. She described it as an innovative, family-
centered, Hispanic culturally appropriate mental health and youth development program aimed at
reducing suicide risk in Latina adolescents.

It provides the girls with services to improve their academic performance, develop skills to deal with
daily emotional challenges, discover new talents, enjoy positive family relationships, and experience
improved emotional health and reduced suicidal risk behavior, Gil said.

In other words, they are given the opportunity to escape tragedy and make of their youth the "divino
tesoro" it was meant to be.

In Brooklyn, Life Is Precious is located at 113 Throop Ave., and is open Mondays and Wednesdays
from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the Bronx, it is at 4419 Third Ave.
at 181st St., Monday to Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For information, call Beatriz Coronel at (917) 304-3645.