Research on suicide risk and prevention. Covers screening and skills programs, youth emergency visits, and neighborhood risk factors.
China's youth faces a growing mental health crisis, but AI platforms like DeepSeek offer promising solutions to bridge the gap. These platforms leverage natural language processing and generative AI to provide round-the-clock support tailored to Chinese society.
A study led by University College London found that academic pressure at age 15 is linked to higher depressive symptoms and self-harm in young people. The association persists into adulthood, with high levels of academic pressure at age 15 associated with increased risk of self-harm up to age 24.
Research suggests a significant increase in suicide hotline calls during periods of extreme heat. Temperatures above the hottest 99th percentile have been linked to a 168% rise in crisis calls, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A new online tool provides information and tools for clinicians to respond to emerging patient care needs, enhancing trauma-informed healthcare for individuals with C-PTSD. The resource was co-developed by researchers and survivors, aligning with best practices and patient-centered research.
A new study demonstrates a health care approach matching treatment intensity to individual risk levels can significantly reduce self-harm and depression among at-risk adolescents and young adults. The randomized clinical trial found significant reductions in self-harm behaviors, improved patient satisfaction, and high follow-up rates.
A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found significantly higher blood alcohol levels and intoxication rates among LGB women who died by suicide compared to heterosexual women. The study highlights alcohol use as a potentially modifiable target for suicide prevention efforts among this population.
A cohort study found a 9-fold increased risk of suicide in Norwegian patients discharged alive after critical injury. Follow-up is recommended for possible psychological distress in this patient group.
A new research project at Staffordshire University is examining the barriers that prevent people from seeking help for problem gambling. The study aims to understand how experiences of shame differ across genders and cultures, highlighting the need for effective prevention strategies.
Researchers have identified five classifications of youth who have died by suicide, highlighting the importance of earlier detection and interventions. These classifications will improve primary care providers' understanding of specific risk factors and warning signs, enabling targeted prevention efforts.
The January 2026 issues of four American Psychiatric Association journals feature groundbreaking research on externalizing disorders, pediatric anxiety, autism, and inflammation-related depression. The studies also explore the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy in suicide prevention.
A new UK-based study found that adults who experience a head injury face a substantially higher risk of attempting suicide compared to those without such injuries. The 20-year population-based matched cohort study analyzed data from over 1.8 million adults and found that people with head injuries were 21% more likely to attempt suicide.
A decline in churchgoing among middle-aged, less educated white Americans is linked to increased mortality rates from drug overdoses, suicide, and alcoholic liver disease. The study found that states with the largest declines in churchgoing experienced larger increases in deaths of despair, starting years before the opioid crisis began.
A study analyzing resharing behavior on X (formerly Twitter) shows that different expressed emotions unfold in the aftermath of celebrity suicides, with disgust being the most contagious emotion. The findings emphasize the need for emotion-specific approaches to both theoretical modeling and practical intervention in online environments.
A new study reveals that 16% of teens exposed to both phases of the Russo-Ukrainian war experience PTSD symptoms, while over 10% experience severe depressive symptoms. The study highlights the need for immediate and sustained attention to support Ukrainian youth's mental health needs.
A study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that the US suicide rate is lowest in December, with a significant decline during the year-end holiday season. However, some news outlets continue to perpetuate the false myth that suicides increase around the holidays.
A review of 467 studies confirms that firearm ownership increases suicides, intensifies psychological fragility, and amplifies violence. Safe storage of firearms reduces but does not eliminate the risk, researchers say.
A new FAU study reveals significant mental health differences between dark web users and surface web users, with dark web users reporting substantially higher levels of depressive symptoms and paranoid thoughts. The study also found substantial differences in suicidal thoughts, non-suicidal self-injury, and digital self-harm.
Victims of intimate partner violence with suicidal behavior show distinct injury patterns on medical imaging, including head, face, neck and upper limb injuries. The study aims to improve screening and intervention for vulnerable populations.
A new genetic study found that people without prior suicidal thoughts or behaviors have fewer psychiatric diagnoses and genetic risk factors for psychiatric conditions compared to those with known suicidality. This suggests that conventional wisdom on how to reduce suicide may need to be rethought.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics found that depression beginning before age 25 has a stronger hereditary component and is associated with a higher risk of suicide attempts. The research identified 12 genetic regions linked to early-onset depression, highlighting the potential for precision medicine in psychiatry.
New research from the University of Utah shows a significant decline in veteran suicide rates since 2020, but rates remain high for those with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The study's findings highlight the importance of safe gun use and various suicide prevention measures.
A federally funded clinical trial tested an intervention to prevent suicides among people recently released from jail, reducing suicide attempts by over half. The safety planning intervention involved in-jail programs and telephone check-ins for six months.
A nationwide study found that involuntary psychiatric patients have a significantly higher risk of suicide, particularly during the first month after discharge. The risk is elevated for several years and is associated with factors such as age, diagnosis, and previous self-harm.
The latest issues of three American Psychiatric Association journals feature research on schizophrenia, stimulant use disorder, and recovery-oriented approaches for schizophrenia. The publications highlight new treatments and findings on alcohol use disorder, youth mental health, and suicide risk.
The report proposes initiatives to reduce firearm violence, including using AI and addressing social causes. It also highlights the need for primordial prevention, which involves changing inequitable social structures to prevent violence.
Researchers identified a link between early adolescence sleep disruption and later suicide attempts. Adolescents who experienced difficulties maintaining and obtaining sufficient sleep were more likely to report a suicide attempt several years later.
Researchers have uncovered contrasting risk profiles for individuals who attempt suicide and those who die by suicide, with the former showing more overlap with other mental health conditions. These findings suggest distinct approaches may be needed to prevent suicidal behavior and improve patient outcomes.
A longitudinal study of over 700 university students found that stress sensitivity increases the frequency, intensity, and variability of suicidal thoughts. Stress sensitivity was also found to intensify the frequency and variability of suicidal thoughts among students with intense, frequent, and persistent ideation.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation will host a free webinar on October 14, 2025, examining the biological factors that contribute to suicide risk and what can be done to strengthen prevention efforts. Featured speaker Steven Lamontagne, Ph.D., will discuss preliminary effects of ketamine treatment on outcomes.
A review by Prof. Mayer Brezis reveals finasteride's potential psychiatric effects, including depression and suicidal thoughts, despite mounting evidence; hundreds of thousands may have suffered from depression, and hundreds more may have died by suicide.
A recent study found that young people are increasingly turning to sodium nitrite and nitrate as a method of suicide after buying the products online. The chemicals, which can cause hypoxia and eventual death when ingested, are often readily available for purchase online.
The 'Store it Safe' program, launched in 2015, trains healthcare providers to screen for depression and suicide, discuss lethal means, distribute safe storage lock boxes, and provide resources for families. The program has shown significant improvements in suicidality screening rates and lethal means discussion during youth visits.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found a strong association between alcohol consumption per capita and an increase in suicide mortality rates. The study suggests that targeting alcohol consumption may be a useful strategy for comprehensive national suicide prevention efforts.
A new study reveals that adults with atopic eczema are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, with factors such as age of onset, obesity, and clinical features strongly associated with increased risk. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to better recognize and address these challenges.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 trials found GLP-1 RAs significantly improved glycemic and weight outcomes in children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes or obesity. However, gastrointestinal adverse effects warrant attention in long-term management.
A recent study found that systemic barriers hinder autistic adults' access to NHS support during mental health crises. Only one in four participants reached out to the NHS when experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
A cohort study found an association between parental diseases of despair and youth suicidal events, suggesting a potential underlying factor in the increase in adolescent suicidal behavior. Improved access to care for parents with these conditions may help reduce the adolescent suicide rate.
A systematic review of 53 studies found that machine learning algorithms for predicting suicidal behavior have low accuracy. The algorithms were poor at identifying individuals who would later self-harm or die by suicide, while exceling in detecting those who would not.
A new University of Michigan study found that between 2000 and 2023, 38,429 children in Michigan experienced a parental death due to suicide, homicide, overdose or other substance-related death, with stigmatized deaths increasing from 28% to 42%. The study aims to provide bereavement services to the most affected areas.
Problem gambling in minors is linked to a higher risk of suicide, substance use disorder, theft, and assault. The Canadian Medical Association Journal urges the federal government to expedite legislation to regulate sports betting advertising and protect young people from its harms.
A new study has identified the deeply personal reasons that suicidal adolescents give for wanting to live, with family connections being the most common reason. Young people also spoke about personal dreams, simple joys, and meaningful activities, such as getting a tattoo, as reasons to keep living.
A new RAND study found that three widely used AI chatbots are generally consistent in responding to very-high-risk and very-low-risk questions about suicide, but inconsistent in answering intermediate-risk questions. ChatGPT and Claude generated appropriate responses to very-low-risk questions, while Gemini's responses were more variable.
A new study found that firearm suicides are rising sharply among older women, with nearly 40% of suicides involving firearms in 2014-2023. The trend outpaces older men, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to mitigate firearm suicides among all older adults.
A national study has found that LGBTQIA+ college students living in conservative US states experience poorer mental health, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Colleges are urged to implement inclusive policies and provide resources to support these students.
A study of over 10,000 teenagers found that sleep problems at age 14 were directly associated with self-harm behaviour at both ages, highlighting the importance of prioritizing sleep health in adolescents. The research also suggests that poor sleep can have long-lasting impacts on mental health.
The interactive one-person play 'Every Brilliant Thing' has been shown to reduce suicide-associated stigma among university students who attended the performance, even up to 30 days later. The study found a significant decrease in stigma following the intervention.
The study found that commonly used mental health screening tools may not be reliable for everyone, particularly African American youth. Research highlights the need for improved assessments that are both psychometrically sound and culturally responsive to protect vulnerable youth in the juvenile justice system.
A mobile phone app designed to deliver suicide-specific therapy reduced suicidal behavior among psychiatric inpatients by 58.3%. Users experienced sustained reductions in suicidal thoughts for up to 24 weeks after hospitalization.
A new study published in JAMA found that the August 2023 Maui wildfire led to a 46% increase in statewide suicide and overdose death rates, with a 97% increase in Maui alone. The researchers suggest direct exposure and indirect effects, such as concern for loved ones, contributed to the rise in deaths.
Research shows that the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires resulted in an estimated 440 excess deaths, while the 2023 Maui wildfires led to immediate increases in suicide and overdose deaths. Higher social support was linked to improved mental health outcomes but did not buffer physiological effects.
Researchers found that murder-suicide events occurred at an average of 820 deaths annually between 2016-2022, with the majority involving current or former intimate partners. Strengthening domestic violence screening and intervention programs is crucial to prevent these tragic outcomes.
A new study links local homicide rates to higher suicide rates in US counties, with firearm involvement exacerbating the risk. The analysis of 50+ years of data reveals that a one-point increase in homicide rates predicts a 3.6% rise in suicide rates the following year.
A landmark study found two distinct patterns in suicidal thoughts among youth, with early adolescence being a key predictor. Mental health symptoms like depression and anxiety are often overlooked in childhood, highlighting the need for earlier support.
A global study of over 100,000 young people found that owning a smartphone before age 13 is associated with poor mind health and wellbeing in early adulthood. The study found correlations between early smartphone ownership and symptoms such as suicidal thoughts, aggression, detachment from reality, and low self-worth.
A cross-sectional study found that stronger gun laws were associated with lower overall firearm mortality, particularly for suicide. Policies addressing root causes of violence through economic mobility and social services may also reduce homicides.
Studies reveal that people in western and northeastern states, as well as Democrats, are more likely to use the 988 lifeline. Over 10% of calls came from veterans, highlighting a key demographic for targeted communication campaigns.
A study identified distinct trajectories of addictive social media, mobile phone, and video game use in US youths, finding links to increased suicidal ideation and worse mental health outcomes. The research suggests that high or increasing addictive screen use may warrant further clinical evaluation and intervention design.
A new study has found that addictive use of social media, but not total screen time, is associated with worse mental health among preteens. The study analyzed data from nearly 4,300 children and found that high or increasingly addictive screen use was linked to increased risk of anxiety, depression, aggression, and suicidal behaviors.
Nearly 1 in 5 US firearm suicides occur outside the home, suggesting broader community-based interventions could enhance prevention strategies. The study's findings support extending existing home-based interventions to reduce firearm-related suicides nationwide.
The study found that the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline has been contacted over 16 million times since its launch in July 2022. Despite this high number, regional and state-level variations in usage suggest potential for further growth and improvement.