Suicidal behaviours in a population-based sample of French youth.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and behaviours in a large, representative sample of French youth and to evaluate age and sex correlates.


METHODS
We surveyed a large (n = 1106) cohort of French adolescents and young adults, aged 15 to 26 years and diversified throughout France, using a mailed-in self-report questionnaire.


RESULTS
Lifetime prevalence rates for suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were 47.2%, 14.8%, and 5.7%, respectively. Rates for female youth were higher than for male youth across the entire spectrum of suicide-related outcomes. Rates generally increased between the ages of 15 and 20 years and decreased after age 21.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that suicidal thoughts and behaviours are widespread phenomena among adolescents and constitute a major public health issue.
Fedorowicz
Valérie J
VJ
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.
Fombonne
Eric
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires