Profiles of Passive and Active Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Secondary School Students in Australia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Introduction

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people (aged 15–24 years), and as such, identifying targets for early intervention is essential to reducing this risk. Using baseline data from a school-based universal suicide prevention trial, we investigate factors associated with different types of suicidal ideation in secondary school students with implications for youth suicide preventive efforts.

Methods

A self-report questionnaire was administered to students aged 13–16 years (Year 9) before program delivery in four regions across New South Wales, Australia (N = 556). Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify correlates of suicidal ideation type (passive vs. active).

Results

Approximately half the total sample reported recent suicidal ideation (51.6% in the previous two weeks), which included almost one-third reporting active suicidal ideation (32.2% seriously considered suicide or made plans). Participants that were significantly more likely to report active suicidal ideation compared to passive suicidal ideation identified as female (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.02–3.59), Indigenous (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.05–0.80), as sexual minorities (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.13–0.97), and had greater depression severity (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.04–1.19).

Conclusions

Suicidal thoughts are prevalent among young people. Universal and indicated preventive interventions that address depression, as well as bullying and discrimination of minority groups would benefit all young people, particularly those more vulnerable to severe suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.

Highlights

• Active suicidal ideation (SI) was reported by 32.2% of our student sample aged 13–16 years.

• Active SI is linked to sex (female), Indigeneity status, sexual minority status, and greater depression severity.

• Improved bullying and discrimination policy within schools, and well-being programs targeting depression and promoting help-seeking, would benefit youth.

Keywords:

• Suicide prevention
• suicidal ideation
• suicide attempts
• Australia
• Youth Aware of Mental Health

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

New South Wales Department of Education; LifeSpan Site Coordinators; Black Dog Institute Implementation and Data teams.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No conflicts of interest to disclose.

AUTHOR NOTES

Lauren McGillivray, Fiona Shand, Nicola A. Chen, Demee Rheinberger, Hannah Rosebrock, and Michelle Torok, Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia. Alison L. Calear, and Philip J. Batterham, Centre for Mental Health Research, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and New South Wales Department of Education. ALC and PJB are supported by NHMRC Fellowships 1173146 and 1158707.