TY - JOUR PY - 2023// TI - Suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescents from a tertiary hospital in Turkey: a comparative study of pre and postpandemic periods JO - Clinical child psychology and psychiatry A1 - Erdem Torun, Şeyma A1 - Pehlivantürk Kızılkan, Melis A1 - Derman, Orhan A1 - Akgül, Sinem SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - AIM: This study aims to compare changes in rates of suicidal ideation (SI) and attempts (SA) among adolescents during pre, mid and later periods of the pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study included adolescents who presented to the adolescent medicine clinic in Turkey between March-May 2019 (prepandemic = T0), March-May 2021(mid period of the pandemic = T1) and March-May 2022 (late period year of the pandemic = T2). SI and SA data were assessed through the electronic hospital records of the "HEEADSSS" inventory.

RESULTS: The charts of 2113 adolescents were evaluated. The rates of both SI (p =.015) and SA (p =.026) were determined to be higher during the pandemic (T1+T2) compared to the pre-pandemic period, with a 1.4-fold increase in SI and a 1.5-fold increase in SA. The rates of SI did not differ according to gender, (p =.090). In contrast, SA rate was significantly higher in females (7.3%) than males (3.6%) (p =.001).

CONCLUSION: This study reveals an increase in SI and SA among adolescents during the first 2 years of the pandemic. In challenging times, health professionals should prioritize the identification and treatment of mental health issues, including screening for depression and suicide risk.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1359-1045 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13591045231210171 ID - ref1 ER -