New Challenges in the Prevention of Child and Adolescent Suicide in the Post-Pandemic Era

A RECENT REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO ADDRESS NEW CHALLENGES IN SUICIDE PREVENTION FOLLOWING THE GLOBAL COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Child and adolescent suicide is one of the leading global concerns, ranking as the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 5 to 19, according to the 2019 Global Burden of Diseases (GBD). This study, based on data from 204 countries between 1990 and 2019, showed a decline in suicide rates over those decades. However, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have reversed this trend in many countries, increasing the risk of suicidal behaviors among adolescents.

The pandemic had a devastating impact on the mental health of young people. Factors such as social isolation, school closures, family conflicts, and economic uncertainty heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. In fact, a recent meta-analysis reports a 10% increase in adolescent suicide rates following the pandemic.

The GBD also highlights regional disparities. Southeast Asia has the highest rates, with poisoning and pesticides as common methods. In India, adolescent female suicide rates are three times the global average, often linked to gender inequality. Furthermore, restricting access to lethal means has proven effective in reducing suicide rates; for example, stricter regulations in countries like New Zealand and the United States have led to decreases in firearm-related suicides.

Addressing this crisis requires comprehensive strategies involving families, schools, communities, and clinical services. Strengthening emotional support networks, improving access to mental health care, and implementing inclusive policies are essential to reducing these alarming suicide rates among young people.

Reference to original work:

Kim, S., Park, J., Lee, H., Lee, H., Woo, S., Kwon, R., Kim, S., Koyanagi, A., Smith, L., Rahmati, M., Fond, G., Boyer, L., Kang, J., Lee, J. H., Oh, J., & Yon, D. K. (2024). Global public concern of childhood and adolescence suicide: a new perspective and new strategies for suicide prevention in the post-pandemic era. World journal of pediatrics: WJP, 20(9), 872–900. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-024-00828-9