Suicidal ideation in young adults is an increasingly burdensome issue worldwide. Further, previous research has shown a very high prevalence of suicidal ideation in medical students, ranging from 9.1% to 48.2%. Many factors have been identified as likely contributors to the development of suicidal tendencies in this specific population including certain behavioral and personality traits, co-existing mental health problems, and stressful personal or academic events. In addition, female medical students have been found to have significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation than the general population.

Across all cultures parenting is the foundation of early life. Recent research has further shown that the relationship between a mother and her offspring in early infancy forms a basic foundation for the future development of the child and can predict whether the child will experience mental distress in later years. This brief review summarized the risk factors including physical health, mental health, and age of the mother that could instill the long term impact to the child's mental health later in life.