Adding Cultural Variables to Improve Assessments and Interventions With Suicidal Persons of Color

摘要

Although persons of color have lower rates of death by suicide than White Americans, the frequency of suicidal ideation and attempts is close to that of White Americans, and suicide rates among persons of color are increasing. Consequently, psychotherapists should be as vigilant for suicidal behavior among their patients of color as they are for their White patients. This article integrates insights from Chu et al.’s (2010) cultural model of suicide with O’Connor’s (2021) integrated motivational theory of suicide to give examples of how psychotherapists can improve their assessment and interventions for suicidal persons of color.Clinical Impact Statement:Although most racial and ethnic minority groups have lower rates of suicide than White Americans, these figures underrepresent the extent of their suicidal behavior. Psychotherapists can use their knowledge of cultural differences to improve their evaluation and treatment of their suicidal patients of color.