AS24-01 - Suicide and affective disorders in adolescents, preliminary results from the seyle project

Abstract

Each Year, in the 27 EU Member States, approximately 63,000 Europeans commit suicide; suicide rates are declining in most age groups; however, suicide mortality rates for youth have been increasing to its highest rate in both developed and developing countries. Research demonstrates that more than 90% of people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder, in most cases a depressive disorder. Depression is one of the most significant psychiatric disorders that influence both children and adolescents. Reports have illustrated that pre-school children have a prevalence rate at 0.3%; among school children, 2%; and ranging from 4–8% in adolescents. Depression affects both sexes; however, research demonstrates that it occurs twofold more frequent among females than males. Depression is suspected to be the cause of the majority of self-inflicted deaths, and has shown to be a major risk factor for suicide. The data presented here have been collected from the baseline evaluation of the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) study, comprising 12,395 adolescents from 11 countries. The presentation will specifically focus on the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among the recruited sample and on the correlation between suicidality and depression.