Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health Challenges
Background/Objectives: Suicide in the United States (US) adolescents is a major clinical and public health problem. In this original investigation, we explored trends in suicidal behaviors (ideation, planning, and attempts) among US adolescents from 2011 to 2021. Methods: The study sample included 9...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| author | Jhon Ostanin Helena Miranda Simon Shugar Dina Abdo Maria Carmenza Mejia Charles H. Hennekens Panagiota Kitsantas |
| author_facet | Jhon Ostanin Helena Miranda Simon Shugar Dina Abdo Maria Carmenza Mejia Charles H. Hennekens Panagiota Kitsantas |
| author_sort | Jhon Ostanin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Suicide in the United States (US) adolescents is a major clinical and public health problem. In this original investigation, we explored trends in suicidal behaviors (ideation, planning, and attempts) among US adolescents from 2011 to 2021. Methods: The study sample included 90,306 adolescents from the 2011–2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Descriptive statistics and the chi-squared test were used to assess differences in suicidal behaviors across gender, race/ethnicity, and grade between 2011 and 2021. Results: The overall percentage of female adolescents reporting suicidal behaviors increased significantly between 2011 and 2021, and it was higher than males. In 2021, females exhibited significantly higher rates of considering suicide (30.0% vs. 14.3%), planning (23.6% vs. 11.6%), and attempts (13.3% vs. 6.6%) compared to their male counterparts. Whites were more likely to report suicidal ideation (22.7%) while Black non-Hispanic youth had a higher likelihood of making a suicide plan (17.7%), attempting suicide (14.5%), or making a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment (4.4%) relative to other racial/ethnic groups. Overall, ninth graders were more likely to report suicide attempts (11.6%) compared to 12th graders (8.6%). Conclusions: The results demonstrate significant increases in suicidal behavior among US adolescents, particularly in females. They suggest the need for gender-sensitive approaches in mental health support and prevention strategies. Overall, given the significant increase in suicidal behaviors, healthcare providers as well as public health professionals should prioritize mental health initiatives, promote awareness, and ensure access to mental health resources for adolescents. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-34ee14f169f04bb3954d0cc659fbc852 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-34ee14f169f04bb3954d0cc659fbc8522025-01-24T13:27:08ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-01-011215710.3390/children12010057Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health ChallengesJhon Ostanin0Helena Miranda1Simon Shugar2Dina Abdo3Maria Carmenza Mejia4Charles H. Hennekens5Panagiota Kitsantas6Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USACharles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USACharles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USADepartment of Health Studies, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USADepartment of Population Health and Social Medicine, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USADepartment of Population Health and Social Medicine, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USADepartment of Population Health and Social Medicine, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USABackground/Objectives: Suicide in the United States (US) adolescents is a major clinical and public health problem. In this original investigation, we explored trends in suicidal behaviors (ideation, planning, and attempts) among US adolescents from 2011 to 2021. Methods: The study sample included 90,306 adolescents from the 2011–2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Descriptive statistics and the chi-squared test were used to assess differences in suicidal behaviors across gender, race/ethnicity, and grade between 2011 and 2021. Results: The overall percentage of female adolescents reporting suicidal behaviors increased significantly between 2011 and 2021, and it was higher than males. In 2021, females exhibited significantly higher rates of considering suicide (30.0% vs. 14.3%), planning (23.6% vs. 11.6%), and attempts (13.3% vs. 6.6%) compared to their male counterparts. Whites were more likely to report suicidal ideation (22.7%) while Black non-Hispanic youth had a higher likelihood of making a suicide plan (17.7%), attempting suicide (14.5%), or making a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment (4.4%) relative to other racial/ethnic groups. Overall, ninth graders were more likely to report suicide attempts (11.6%) compared to 12th graders (8.6%). Conclusions: The results demonstrate significant increases in suicidal behavior among US adolescents, particularly in females. They suggest the need for gender-sensitive approaches in mental health support and prevention strategies. Overall, given the significant increase in suicidal behaviors, healthcare providers as well as public health professionals should prioritize mental health initiatives, promote awareness, and ensure access to mental health resources for adolescents.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/57suicidal behaviorsadolescent psychiatrymental healthhigh school studentsUnited States |
| spellingShingle | Jhon Ostanin Helena Miranda Simon Shugar Dina Abdo Maria Carmenza Mejia Charles H. Hennekens Panagiota Kitsantas Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health Challenges Children suicidal behaviors adolescent psychiatry mental health high school students United States |
| title | Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health Challenges |
| title_full | Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health Challenges |
| title_fullStr | Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health Challenges |
| title_short | Suicidal Behaviors Among United States Adolescents: Increasing Clinical and Public Health Challenges |
| title_sort | suicidal behaviors among united states adolescents increasing clinical and public health challenges |
| topic | suicidal behaviors adolescent psychiatry mental health high school students United States |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/57 |
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