Information provided by young people who attempted to take their own lives and failed may help with solutions to preventing more suicides; especially among young people.
Last Friday, officials from various government departments including Health (DOH), Human & Social Services (DHSS) and Education (DOE) along with the Governor’s Working Group on Suicide presented data on suicides, the causes and what is being done to prevent more loss of life. The group testified at a hearing of the Fono’s House Human & Social Services Committee. The meeting was called in response to concerns from House members about the alarming rise in suicide numbers in the territory.
Last year, according to testimony, there were 11 suicides in American Samoa. There have been a further five suicides in the first month and a half of 2021. The majority of the victims were under 20 years of age. The youngest was 15 according to figures provided at the hearing.
The witnesses included Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua, Director of Education Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli, Acting Director of Human and Social Services Muavaefa’atasi John Suisala along with doctors and staff from LBJ Hospital, DOH and DHSS who specialize in behavioral and mental health.
Dr. Shishram of LBJ Hospital said that last year 17 people who attempted suicide were admitted to the hospital and referred to him. He told the hearing this is only a portion of those who made an attempt to end their own lives. Dr. Shishram shed information on the reasons, methods and other data about the suicide attempt cases.
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Dr. Shishham says awareness efforts in the schools should teach children coping skills so that they can understand suicide is not a good way to escape their problems. He encouraged teaching young people to seek help from their counselors or their peers as well as using positive activities to help take their attention away from what hurts and angers them.
Other witnesses including Dr. Julia Fo’ifua and Motusa Tuileama Nua pointed out that there is a disconnect between agencies dealing with behavioral and mental health issues. They also said there are too many telephone numbers for suicide prevention services and that some lines are not answered when dialed.
