11.1 SUICIDALITY IN MUSLIM YOUTH

Abstract

Participants will review the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) and CFI Supplementary Modules to obtain a culturally informed history, including religious identification. Participants will consider the intersectional cultural identity of these youth. Participants will learn techniques to navigate culturally informed conversations about suicidality with Muslim youth and their families. A literature review was conducted to examine suicidality in Muslim youth. In addition, Sarah Arshad, MD, will share specific cases of Muslim youth from different cultural backgrounds with acute suicidality. American Muslim youth come from different cultural backgrounds. Understanding their intersectional cultural identities is critical in specifically navigating their religious identity. This can then be used to understand their presentation to mental health care and how their religious identity affects their symptoms such as suicidality. For many American Muslim youth, their religious identity may be different from their families, in part due to differences in other cultural factors, such as a desire to assimilate into American cultural norms, or result in barriers to communication with families. Therefore, culturally conceptualizing the youth’s identity and navigating familial expectations can help providers consider the unique circumstances that Muslim youth face and can help providers guide culturally sensitive conversations between Muslim youth and their families. In addition, some youth can find resilience in their Muslim identity, and providers can build upon these in safety planning. Suicide is a leading cause of mortality in teenagers, and there have been increased rates of suicidal youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. And although religious identity in general is thought to be a protective factor, this may be more nuanced in Muslim youth. As healthcare providers, it is imperative to be able to obtain and critically use culturally informed information in evaluation and treatment planning with these youth and families.