Life is Precious TM

Summary

Life Is Precious employs innovative, culturally-tailored services to prevent suicide among Latina teens in New York City.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

One in six Latina teenage girls in the United States will attempt suicide; in New York City the rate is even higher than the national average. Life is Precious compliments traditional outpatient mental health services by addressing the needs of girls age 12-16 and their families for culturally competant, family-centered youth development services, case management, educational enrichment and mentoring.

How will this project solve this problem?

Life is Precious provides girls and their families culturally-relevant and creative art therapy, tutoring and mentoring designed to prevent suicide, improve family function and advance career outlooks for girls

Potential Long Term Impact

•Reduction - in suicide/suicide attempts •Replication - easily reproduced, innovative treatment model that addresses a documented crisis that has eluded successful treatment through traditional community and psychiatric-based approaches

Project Message

Project maximizes Latina teens individual strengths as well as family and Latino Community to reduce risks of suicide
- Dr. Rosa M. Gil, President and CEO

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources