Suicide risk in adolescents with chronic illness: implications for primary care and specialty pediatric practice: a review

Abstract

Suicide in adolescents is a global tragedy. Research-identified correlates of suicide in youth include depression, academic failure, loss of friends, social isolation, and substance abuse, among others. This review focuses on the potential link between chronic illness in adolescents and increased suicide risk. Research suggests that chronic illness is a risk factor for depression in adolescents that may induce suicide ideation and attempts; however, this risk may be increased even more in young adulthood if the underlying causes of depression are not resolved. This risk needs to be considered against the research data noting an increase in suicide attempts and completions, in each decade of life from adolescence into adulthood. Although more research is clearly needed, it can be concluded that suicide risks are seen in adolescents with chronic illness and all of these young people should be screened for depression and other risk factors for suicide on a regular basis.