The impact of the environment on the distress and suicidal behaviour of children and adolescents

Abstract

Suicide is a serious public health problem, with adolescents being one of the vulnerable groups for suicidal behaviour. This paper provides an overview of environmental risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviour in adolescents, focusing on the importance of peers, the school environment, the wider community and the media. For each of the factors described, the potential for preventive interventions to reduce the risk of suicidal behaviour in adolescents is also presented. Due to the complexity of suicidal behaviour, preventive interventions need to be carefully planned and adapted to an understanding of the specifics of adolescence as a developmental stage. Through the factors described, each of us can contribute to the prevention of suicidal behaviour in adolescents by talking about these issues appropriately, reporting on them appropriately, and empowering young people to resolve distress and seek help by creating a safe and receptive environment.