title: An Investigation into Suicides Among Bhutanese Refugees Resettled in the United States Between 2008 and 2011.
abstract: An increase of Bhutanese refugee suicides were reported in the US between 2009 and 2012. This investigation examined these reported suicides in depth to gain a better understanding of factors associated with suicide within this population. The study employed 14 psychological autopsies to elicit underlying motivations and circumstances for self-inflicted death and to identify potential future avenues for prevention and intervention among refugee communities. Disappointment with current (un)employment, lack of resettlement services and social support, and frustrations with separation from family were believed to contribute to suicidal acts. Suicide within refugee populations may be connected with experiences of family withdrawal, integration difficulties, and perceived lack of care. It is important to assess the effectiveness of improving refugee services on the mental health of migrants. More research is needed in order to better understand, and respond to, suicide in resettled populations.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA. hagamana@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ashley K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hagaman
authors.affiliation: Garrison Institute, Garrison, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Teresa I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Sivilli
authors.affiliation: Center for Global Health, Division of Global Health Protection, Global Disease Detection Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Trong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ao
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blanton
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Health Protection, Emergency Response and Recovery Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lopes Cardozo
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Immigrant Refugee and Migrant Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Sharmila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001631:Bhutan / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mental health; Psychological autopsy; Refugee; Suicide