Research at University of Oregon says social connection is a key for preventing youth suicides

(APRIL 25, 2024) In the United States, some high school students think about or try to kill themselves. But there aren't enough mental health services to help them. The University of Oregon has new research about suicide prevention. It says that feeling like you belong at school and in your community is important. It can help stop some teenagers from thinking about or trying to kill themselves.

A student named Lauren Berny led the research. She says teachers, social workers, and even neighbors can help teens who are at risk of suicide. When teens feel cared about by adults and friends, they're less likely to think about or try to kill themselves. Her research was published in two journals. The journals were Children and Youth Services Review and Child Psychiatry & Human Development.

Berny studied nearly 300 teens from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas. Most of them had thought about or tried to kill themselves. Almost all of them had problems with drugs or alcohol, and most had mental health issues.

One study looked at how violence -- such as sexual or physical abuse -- is connected to suicide risk. More than half of the teens had experienced some form of violence. Other research shows that violence makes it more likely for teens to kill themselves.

Another study looked at how mental health problems -- such as depression or panic attacks -- are connected to suicide risk. Most of the teens had at least one of these problems.

Berny was surprised to find out that different things make teens think about killing themselves than make them try to do it. She thought depression would be a big risk. However, depression mostly just made teens think about suicide. Violence was more connected to actually trying to kill themselves.

Both studies found that when teens feel connected to their school and community, they're less likely to try to kill themselves. For example, teens who had been sexually abused were less likely to try to kill themselves if they felt supported by their teachers and had friends at school.

Schools and communities can help. They can start support groups for teens. They can connect teens with adult mentors.  Berny says even small things, like spending an hour a week with a student who needs it, can really help.