An investigation into suicides among Bhutanese refugees in the US, 2009 – 2012: Stakeholders report

From February 2009 to February 2012, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services reported 16 suicides among Bhutanese refugees who resettled in the United States. ORR requested that the Refugee Health Technical Assistance Center (RHTAC) of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conduct an investigation of the multi-state cluster of suicides in this population.
The main objectives of the investigation were to 1) describe suicides that have occurred; 2) identify factors associated with suicidal ideation; and 3) formulate recommendations for stakeholders to prevent additional suicides. Key recommendations are made for local resettlement networks, community mental health providers, ORR and other partners.