Articles tagged with Suicide
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 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 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 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.
A research-based workbook tackles chronic nightmares and insomnia, offering tools to rewrite distressing dreams, improve sleep quality, and regain daytime functioning. The author, MSU Psychology Professor Michael R. Nadorff, aims to provide empirically-supported treatments for this debilitating disorder.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that as preteens used more social media, their depressive symptoms increased by 35%. The research team tracked changes over time in each child to accurately assess the link between social media and depression. Experts suggest using digital habits tools to create healthier online behavior...
Researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio discovered a significant link between REM sleep disturbances and increased PTSD severity. The study suggests that targeting REM sleep could be a promising approach for improving PTSD treatment outcomes.
A national study by Rutgers researchers found that nearly two-thirds of US adults have experienced some form of in-person gun violence, with Black and Hispanic adults more likely to be exposed. The study also revealed significant racial disparities in media-based exposure, with Black adults reporting the highest levels of exposure.
A longitudinal cohort study found that military sexual trauma is associated with an increased risk of suicide attempt and death by drug overdose, especially among those with post-traumatic stress disorder. The study highlights the need for policies to reduce sexual trauma in the military.
A study published in Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice found significant improvement in depressive symptoms and emotional well-being in adolescents after receiving inpatient psychiatric care. The study highlights the effectiveness of pediatric inpatient psychiatry units in improving mental health outcomes.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open highlights the need for tailored prevention strategies for at-risk women. The research found that less than one-third of women who died by firearm suicide had documented evidence of mental health treatment.
A recent study published in Current Neuropharmacology suggests a potential link between Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists and depression, particularly in individuals with low dopamine function. The authors urge caution and recommend genetic testing to identify individuals at risk before prescribing these medications.
Researchers found that adopting the Zero Suicide Model, which includes suicide risk screening and safety planning, can reduce suicide rates among patients who visit a doctor's office. The model resulted in a 25% decrease in suicide attempts and deaths among over 300,000 patients in multi-state implementation.
A national survey of 8,009 adults found that frequent exposure to gun violence is associated with increased depression, suicidal ideation, and need for mental health support. The study also highlights the importance of addressing interpersonal violence in suicide prevention efforts.
A large cohort study found living alone to be a critical factor in suicide risk assessments for individuals with depression and anxiety. The study of 3.7 million individuals highlighted the importance of preventing mental illness while addressing living arrangements.
Researchers found a significant association between state earned income tax credits and lower firearm suicide rates. The study suggests that targeted antipoverty policies can help mitigate the link between economic hardship and gun violence.
A study found no increased risk of suicidal events among adults taking GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes or obesity, but continued monitoring is warranted to identify at-risk patients. The findings ease concerns about these potential adverse effects, allowing extended use of GLP-1 RAs.
The installation of safety nets on the Golden Gate Bridge has been shown to significantly reduce suicide rates by 73%, with a notable decrease in interventions by third parties. The study suggests that barriers are an effective means of reducing suicide at bridges, providing early evidence for policymakers.
Less than 1% of people with firearm access engage in defensive use annually, with most firearm users never using their weapons for self-defense. Those who have experienced gun violence or quick access to firearms are more likely to perceive threats and respond defensively.