Review maps suicidal thoughts and attempts among young people in MENAT
An observational evidence review found suicidal thoughts and attempts were common, with links to social distress and substance use; evidence about protective factors remained limited.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This review found that suicidal thoughts and attempts were commonly reported among young people in the MENAT region. Bullying, loneliness, substance use and mental health symptoms were associated with suicidal thoughts. These observational links cannot establish causes. Evidence concerning potentially protective factors, including family connections and social support, was sparse and inconsistent.
Many studies assessed suicidality with a single question, which the authors say limits precision and comparability. This abstract-based account cannot resolve differences in how participants were asked about their experiences.
Prevalence needs a timeframe
The researchers combined estimates of how common suicidal thoughts and attempts were. The abstract does not specify a shared recall period, so the pooled findings should not be read as annual rates.
Protection remains uncertain
Family connectedness, religiosity and social support appeared in the protective-factor evidence, but reports were limited and inconsistent. The review leaves uncertainty about how reliably these factors relate to lower suicidality in this population.
The original publication
Prevalence and risk factors of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among young people in the MENAT region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Alhassan MA, Alarabi MA, Albalawi WM et al.
BMC Psychiatry · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41257638
- Record checked
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