Recent research advances in identification and prevention of youth suicide risk

Abstract

Purpose of the reviewThe rate of youth suicidal behaviors has gradually increased over the last 15 years and continues to grow during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend burdens mental health services and demands significant developments in risk detection and delivery of interventions to reduce the risk. In this article we outline significant advances and recent findings in youth suicide research that may facilitate strategies for identifying and preventing suicide risk among youth at risk in general and in specific risk groups.Recent findingsThe rise in suicide and suicidal behaviors is most likely to affect young people of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identity minorities and those living in poverty or experiencing maltreatment. The suicide rate in children is rising and demands special attention. Proximal risk factors for suicidal behavior compared with suicidal ideation have been suggested to identify near-term suicidal risk. Effective and scalable prevention strategies were identified, and the role of new technologies in suicide prevention among youth is to be determined.SummaryTo reach broader suicide prevention in youth and reduce the pressure on mental healthcare, public health approaches and improved service access for minority youth and those living in underserved areas of the world are needed.

Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in Adolescents and Preadolescent Children Discharged from Emergency Department

“…This nding was con rmed for both sexes and ages 10 to 74 (Hedegaard et al, 2018). The trend is re ected by an increase in the number of children and adolescents presenting to the emergency departments with suicidal ideation and behaviors (Barzilay & Apter, 2022). The incidence rate of suicidal behaviors among adolescents increased particularly after 2011 (Wang et al, 2020).…”

A Following Wave Pattern of Suicide-Related Pediatric Emergency Room Admissions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…There are some important public health implications of our results. In most countries of the Western world, the prevailing concept was that there was an increased need for services during the pandemic, especially when lockdowns were most severe [ 32 ]. However, it may well be that the increased efforts to provide mental health services should paradoxically occur when the pandemic fades and children go back to school [ 33 ].…”

Idées suicidaires chez les jeunes adultes au Canada pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 : données tirées d’une enquête populationnelle transversale

“…La perte d'emploi pourrait aussi être un facteur, car les 15 à 24 ans étaient plus nombreux que les autres groupes d'âge à ne pas travailler pendant la pandé mie 28,29 . La prévalence des idées suici daires était plus élevée chez les personnes vivant dans les milieux les plus défavori sés, ce qui corrobore les résultats anté rieurs selon lesquels les idées suicidaires sont plus susceptibles de survenir chez les jeunes vivant dans la pauvreté 30 .…”