Suicide among university students: prevalence, risks and protective factors

Abstract

Background: Research evidence on suicide in Ghana so far has focused mostly on suicide in the adult population and less work on the younger population such as university students and other vulnerable groups such as children, youth and the aged. Aims: This study was conducted to determine lifetime and current prevalence of suicidal ideation or attempts and identify the associated risks and protective factors among university students in Ghana. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, 1003 university students (507 males and 496 females) with a mean age of 20.5 years (SD = 5.95) were administered questionnaires that measured suicide, psychological distress, self-esteem and subjective wellbeing. Results: We found the following prevalence rates of suicidal behaviours: ideations 15.2%, attempted 6.3%, death wishes 24.3% and suicidal plan 6.8%. Psychological distress was a risk factor for both suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt. Subjective wellbeing was protective of suicide attempt while self-esteem was protective of suicidal ideation. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for school-based mental health-promoting programmes that enhance young people's self-esteem, reduce psychological distress and boost subjective wellbeing.

Accurate Diagnosis of Suicide Ideation/Behavior Using Robust Ensemble Machine Learning: A University Student Population in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

“…Psychological illness is another input feature in three prediction systems that could predict suicide ideation/behavior. This is in line with previous studies that found a strong relationship between psychological distress and suicide ideation [ 85 , 90 , 91 , 92 ]. In our study, the main psychological problems that could predict suicide ideation/behavior were depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.…”

Suicide ideation and/or attempt with substance use and associated factors among the youth in northwest Ethiopia, community-based

“…The prevalence of both suicidal ideation and attempt were in line with other studies conducted in Ethiopia 14 and 7.4% respectively [ 24 ], France 15.2 and 6.3% [ 35 ], and Bangladesh 12.8% [ 36 ]. In another way, the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempt was higher than in other studies conducted in China 2.7% [ 37 ], pooled China study 2.8% [ 38 ].…”

Depression and suicidal ideation among dental students of Southern Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study

“…PHQ-9 is a valid and reliable screening tool for depression among Saudi samples 24,25 and is currently being used for mental health screening in a recently established Mental Health Surveillance System in Saudi Arabia (MHSS). 26 Depression severity was measured according to PHQ-9 cutoff scores where (0-4) indicates none to minimal depression, (5)(6)(7)(8)(9) indicates mild depression, (10)(11)(12)(13)(14) indicates moderate depression, (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) indicates moderately severe depression, and (20-27) indicates severe depression. 27…”

“…According to the WHO, one suicide attempt is made every two seconds, and sadly, one death due to suicide occurs every 40 s. 12,13 University students are at particular risk of suicide and self-inflicted injuries. 14 Suicidal ideation has been reported as a precursor for future self-harm attempts or suicide 15 ; and has been considered a significant public health issue. 16 Apart from disrupting personal well-being and academic achievements, there are wider impacts to the healthcare system due to the loss of dental healthcare provision that would have otherwise been provided by these students.…”