Comparative Analysis of Lifetime Suicide Attempts among Mexican Adolescents, over the Past 12 Years

Abstract

Objective. To compare the occurrence of suicide attempts across nationally representative samples of the Mexican adolescent population over the past 12 years, and to analyze its association with sociodemographic, lifestyle and mental-health indicators. Methodology. Data were drawn from the 2006, 2012 and 2018 National Health and Nutrition Surveys (n = 25,056; 21,509; and 17,925 adolescents, respectively). Estimates were based on standardized measurements. Results. The estimated lifetime prevalence rates of suicide attempts were 1.1% in 2006, 2.7% in 2012, and 3.9% in 2018, indicating a 3.4-fold increase. Across the three survey periods, women yielded rates nearly three times higher than men. Lifetime prevalence grew the most among adolescents aged 13–15 years. Compared to the other respondents, the odds of lifetime suicide attempts proved seven times as high for those who had been sexually abused during their childhood, five times as high for those who had been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, three times as high for those who had suffered physical aggression and twice as high for those who had smoked 100+ cigarettes in their lifetimes and those who consumed alcohol. Conclusion: The sharp increase in suicide attempts in Mexico calls for an urgent public-health response via universal and targeted interventions supported by national policy and sustained federal funding.

Comparison of suicide attempts among nationally representative samples of Mexican adolescents 12 months before and after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic

“…( Dubé et al, 2021 , Rockstroh et al, 2021 , Romero-Martínez et al, 2019 , Romero-Martínez et al, 2021 , Valdez-Santiago et al, 2021 , Xiong et al, 2020 , Gutiérrez-García et al, 2017 , Hermosillo-de la Torre et al, 2021 , Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática defunciones por suicidio por entidad federativa y grupos de edad según sexo 2010-2019 2021 , Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática. Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo 2021 )…”

A Rapid Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Suicide and Self-Harm Behaviors in Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Canadian data also showed increased self-harm in adolescents aged 12–18 years ( n = 809) which was associated with personal and societal COVID-19-related stress (Robillard et al, 2021). Studies from the United Kingdom and Mexico did not report any change in rates of suicide and self-harm during the pandemic (Polek et al, 2020; Valdez Santiago et al, 2021).…”

“…We located five community-based surveys from Korea, Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada (Kim et al, 2021; Murata et al, 2021; Polek et al, 2020; Robillard et al, 2021; Valdez-Santiago et al, 2021). Kim et al (2021) reported reduced suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts in Korean 12–18-year-olds during the pandemic with an OR 0.77, 95% CI (0.73–0.80) for suicidal thoughts; an OR 0.88, 95% CI (0.81–0.96) for suicide planning; and an OR 0.64, 95% CI (0.58–0.70) for suicide attempts.…”

“…Among the community surveys, three were online volunteer surveys; the Mexican study was population-based (Kim et al, 2021; Murata et al, 2021; Robillard et al, 2021; Valdez Santiago et al, 2021). The UK study was conducted using adolescents’ data from primary care networks (Polek, 2020).…”

Barreras para la atención de las conductas suicidas en Ciudad de México: experiencias del personal de salud en el primer nivel de atención

“…Aunque en México las conductas suicidas se han estudiado ampliamente desde un punto de vista epidemiológico [14], pocos estudios se han centrado en conocer el rol de los servicios de salud en el abordaje del suicidio y, en particular, sobre los obstáculos que enfrenta el personal de salud para la atención de las conductas suicidas [15]. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las barreras que existen para la atención de las conductas suicidas, desde la perspectiva del personal de salud mental del primer nivel de atención de la Ciudad de México.…”