Suicidal ideation and behavior in youth in low- and middle-income countries: A brief review of risk factors and implications for prevention

Abstract

Although global rates of suicide have dropped in the last 30 years, youth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to be highly represented in suicide statistics yet underrepresented in research. In this review we present the epidemiology of suicide, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among youth in LMICs. We also describe population-level (attitudes toward suicide, socioeconomic, and societal factors) and individual-level clinical and psychosocial risk factors, highlighting specific considerations pertaining to youth in LMICs. These specific considerations in risk factors within this population can inform how multi-level prevention strategies may be targeted to meet their specific needs. Prevention and intervention strategies relying on the stepped-care framework focusing on population-, community-, and individual level targets while considering locally- and culturally relevant practices are key in LMICs. In addition, systemic approaches favoring school-based and family-based interventions are important among youth. Cross-culturally adapted multimodal prevention strategies targeting the heterogeneity that exists in healthcare systems, suicide rates, and risk factors in these countries should be accorded a high priority to reduce the burden of suicide among youth in LMICs.

Increased suicide rates in Mexico City during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak: An analysis spanning from 2016 to 2021

“…Beyond the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, suicide prevalence is higher in young people (<30 years old), but also in low- and middle-income countries [ 18 ] (Mexico is classified as a middle-income country [ 55 ]). For these countries, economic problems are commonly associated with suicide, around 10% of the yearly cases [ 56 , 57 ].…”

“…Ultimately these data can contribute to developing suicide prevention strategies, which can be both at population levels, focusing on suicide methods and socioeconomic factors, and individual interventions, targeting psychopathology related to the etiology of suicide. Also, since suicide prevalence is higher in the young population, the implementation of suicide prevention strategies in schools may be critical for the attenuation of this problem [ 18 , 59 ].…”

“…Interestingly all these studies reported several demographics, socioeconomic and clinical conditions which modify suicide rate, such as sex, race, and base income, among others. It is important to note that more than 70% of worldwide suicide cases occur in low- and middle-income countries [ 18 , 19 ], highlighting demographics and socioeconomic factors as robust modulators of suicide prevalence.…”

Comparison of naïve bayes, logistic regression and support vector machine for predicting suicidal tendency from social media content

“…Nepal's suicide rates have surged by 72% over the past decade, raising concerns about mental well-being, as reported by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division [4]. Mental health issues are causing a significant rise in suicides globally, including in Nepal due to inadequate infrastructure and understanding, and Lesotho, with the highest suicide rate in the world [5]. Antigua & Barbuda, located in the Caribbean Sea, has the world's lowest suicide rate of 0.4 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants annually [6].…”

Conformational switch of a peptide provides a novel strategy to design peptide loaded porous organic polymer for Pyroptosis pathway mediated cancer therapy

“…We are interested in CRC because it is the third most frequent type of cancer and the second leading reason of cancer-assisted deaths worldwide. Between 2012 and 2030, the new patient case histories are believed to increase by 77%, and the majority of this increase would happen in the low and middle income countries (LMICs) 21,22 . There is an urgent need to develop affordable and specific therapeutic strategies against CRC and we believe that our use of this novel conformational switch strategy towards designing new Peptides would help combating not only CRC, but other cancers as well.…”