What makes young people act on their thoughts of self-harm or suicide?
Submitted by Marianne Etherson
More young people experience thoughts of self-harm and suicide than those who engage in self-harm or suicide attempts. Yet, the reasons why some young people experiencing these thoughts do engage in self-harm or suicide attempts and some do not are unclear.
Our review wanted to determine which factors may increase or decrease the risk that young people with thoughts of self-harm or suicide will act on their thoughts. We searched for studies examining these factors over the last 13 years and found 99 studies featuring data from over 100,000 young people worldwide.
Several factors increased the risk that young people with thoughts of suicide engaged in suicide attempts, including:
Non-suicidal self-injury
Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
Violence
Family conflict
However, parental closeness and support, and greater academic achievement emerged as protective factors
The risk factors that most consistently predicted self-harm in young people with thoughts of self-harm included:
Being female
Exposure to self-harm or suicide in others (e.g., friends and family)
Impulsivity
Ultimately, this research can help young people and professionals working with young people to better identify important risk and protective factors that may increase or reduce the risk of a young person acting on their thoughts.
I’m a young person – what does this mean for me?
Young people can be aware of risk and protective factors that increase or decrease the risk of acting on thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Through better understanding and recognition of warning signs and preventive factors, young people can actively aim to address potential risk factors (e.g., aim to improve family relationships) and enhance protective factors (e.g., increase effort at school).
I’m a parent - what does this mean for me?
Parents may be able to reduce risk of self-harm and suicide through resolving family conflicts, enhancing connectedness and support, as well as being aware of warning signs for self-harm and suicidal behaviours.
I’m a teacher - what does this mean for me?
Teachers can encourage engagement at school and aid young people to attain academic achievement as a prevention strategy. Teachers can also be vigilant of any apparent warning signs (e.g., non-suicidal self-injury) and be prepared to signpost students at risk.
I’m a clinician – what does this mean for me?
Clinicians can help by identifying and targeting key risk factors, such as impulsive behaviours, or by helping young people to process and address past traumatic life events (e.g., exposure to suicide in others or abuse) that place young people at greater risk of self-harm or suicidal behaviours.