About this Research Topic
Suicide is a leading cause of death among children and young people (CYP) worldwide, and rates have been increasing in recent years. A well-established psychological risk factor for death by suicide is suicide ideation or crisis. Suicidal crisis is a spectrum, ranging from thoughts of death and passive ideation, to specific suicidal ideation with intent or plan. It has been shown that the more pervasive the suicidal crisis, the more likely the individual is to attempt suicide, with 80% of people who die by suicide having sought help for suicidal crisis at least once in the year before their death. Thus, early identification of individuals experiencing suicidal crisis and the implementation of effective prevention strategies are vital in preventing future distress and later suicide attempts.
This research topic seeks to advance understanding of the global trends in rates of CYP suicidal crisis, underlying risk and protective factors in suicidal crisis in CYP, effective early identification and prevention strategies, and innovative interventions to reduce or prevent suicidal crisis in CYP. We aim to examine factors which contribute to the onset of suicidal crisis in CYP, as well as examine potential mechanisms and modifiable factors which may reduce risk. This may be achieved through early identification and targeted interventions, as well as through the implementation of universal mental health promotion and awareness interventions for CYP. Given the increased level of risk for certain subgroups of CYP (e.g., neurodivergent individuals), a clearer understanding of the ways in which suicidal crisis develops for these groups, and the ways in which interventions or support can be effectively tailored, is also urgently needed.
We welcome original research articles, brief research reports, and review articles addressing the above aims. We welcome studies using both quantitative and qualitative data from, but not limited to: population-based surveys, surveillance and registry-based data systems, cohort studies, clinical samples, interview cohorts, and trial-based studies. We welcome a range of submissions on the topic of suicidality in CYP, including:
- The aetiology and onset of suicidal crisis
- Epidemiology of suicidal crisis, including recent trends
- Risk and protective factors for suicidal crisis, including the role of ACEs
- Novel approaches to reducing suicidality, including universal and targeted programmes, and clinical interventions
- Approaches to early intervention through universal prevention (e.g., mental health promotion strategies)
- Approaches across settings (e.g. schools, primary and secondary care, community)
- Understanding, preventing, and supporting suicidal crisis among vulnerable populations (e.g. neurodivergent CYP), including risk and protective factors, and effective interventions
This research topic seeks to advance understanding of the global trends in rates of CYP suicidal crisis, underlying risk and protective factors in suicidal crisis in CYP, effective early identification and prevention strategies, and innovative interventions to reduce or prevent suicidal crisis in CYP. We aim to examine factors which contribute to the onset of suicidal crisis in CYP, as well as examine potential mechanisms and modifiable factors which may reduce risk. This may be achieved through early identification and targeted interventions, as well as through the implementation of universal mental health promotion and awareness interventions for CYP. Given the increased level of risk for certain subgroups of CYP (e.g., neurodivergent individuals), a clearer understanding of the ways in which suicidal crisis develops for these groups, and the ways in which interventions or support can be effectively tailored, is also urgently needed.
We welcome original research articles, brief research reports, and review articles addressing the above aims. We welcome studies using both quantitative and qualitative data from, but not limited to: population-based surveys, surveillance and registry-based data systems, cohort studies, clinical samples, interview cohorts, and trial-based studies. We welcome a range of submissions on the topic of suicidality in CYP, including:
- The aetiology and onset of suicidal crisis
- Epidemiology of suicidal crisis, including recent trends
- Risk and protective factors for suicidal crisis, including the role of ACEs
- Novel approaches to reducing suicidality, including universal and targeted programmes, and clinical interventions
- Approaches to early intervention through universal prevention (e.g., mental health promotion strategies)
- Approaches across settings (e.g. schools, primary and secondary care, community)
- Understanding, preventing, and supporting suicidal crisis among vulnerable populations (e.g. neurodivergent CYP), including risk and protective factors, and effective interventions
Keywords: children; adolescents; young people; suicide; suicide ideation; suicide attempt; suicidal thoughts and behaviors; early intervention; prevention science; risk factors; protective factors
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
