CDC REPORT ON 2009-2012 BHUTANESE REFUGEE SUCIDE IDEATION

FROM: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Suicide and Suicidal Ideation Among Bhutanese Refugees — United States, 2009–2012
CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286


During the period February 2009–February 2012, the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported 16 suicides among the approximately 57,000 Bhutanese refugees who had resettled in the United States since 2008. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center, CDC conducted a survey of randomly selected Bhutanese refugees in four U.S. states with large populations of resettled refugees to identify risk factors that might be associated with suicidal ideation among Bhutanese refugees. The survey findings suggest that Bhutanese refugees who have resettled in the United States could have a high burden of undiagnosed mental illness. Mental health services should be considered one of the priorities in the service package for refugees arriving in the United States. Current programs to address post-arrival challenges such as job and language training should consider adding social support and mental health components. Refugee communities and service providers might benefit from additional suicide awareness training to identify those at highest risk and greatest need for early intervention