Rapid Responses to:

PAPERS: Paul Boyle, Daniel Exeter, Zhiqiang Feng, and Robin Flowerdew Suicide gap among young adults in Scotland: population study BMJ 2005; 330: 175-176 [Full text]

Rapid Responses: Submit a response to this article

Rapid Responses published:

Closer monitoring of adolescent suicidal ideation and behaviour

Albert Lee   (28 January 2005)

Closer monitoring of adolescent suicidal ideation and behaviour 28 January 2005
Albert Lee, Professor Department of Community and Family Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Send response to journal: Re: Closer monitoring of adolescent suicidal ideation and behaviour	Editor- Boyle et al reported the rising suicide rates amongst young men and also growing social polarization of suicide among young people in Scotland.1 Apart from studying the suicidal rates, it is also important to study the suicidal ideation and behaviour amongst adolescents so appropriate intervention would be implemented at early stage. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System to monitor behaviours that place adolescents most at risk for premature morbidity and mortality including behaviours causing intentional injuries such as suicidal ideation (seriously considered attempting suicide during the past twelve months) and suicidal attempts during the past 12 months.2 In Hong Kong we have started the young risk behaviours surveys since 1999.3 The prevalence of adolescents with suicidal ideation increased from 16.9% (95% CI 16.2%, 17.6%) in 2003 from 11.2% (95% CI 9.7%, 12.7%) in 1999, and for attempted suicide, it increased from 8.5% (95% CI 7.4%, 9.6%) to 4% (95% CI 3.4%, 4.6%).4 Social gradient was also observed. The suicidal ideation rate of adolescents with parents of primary education level was found to be 3.49% higher than those with parents of upper secondary education level with statistical significance (p=0.02).5 The attempted suicide rate of adolescents with parents of primary education level was also found to be 2.9% higher than those with parents of upper secondary education level with statistical significance (p=0.035).5 The rising trend of youth suicide problems and increasing social polarisation are also observed amongst Chinese. Health professionals must put greater emphasis on youth mental health promotion especially those with parents of lower education level. References 1. Boyle P, Exeter D, Feng Z, Flowerdew R. Suicide gap among young adults in Scotland: population study. BMJ 2005; 330:175-6. 2. Kolbe L.J., Kann L. and Collins J.L. Overview of the youth risk behavior surveillance system. Pub Health Report 1993; 108(Supp 1): 2-10. 3. Lee A, Tsang CKK. Youth risk behaviour in a Chinese population: a territory-wide youth risk behavioural surveillance in Hong Kong. Public Health 2004; 118: 88-95. 4. Lee A, Tsang KK, Lee N, et al. Youth risk behaviours in Hong Kong. Symposium: Multi-centre Youth Risk Behaviour surveillance in southern part of China. 18th World Conference in Health Promotion and Health Education, International Union for Health Promotion and Education, April 26-30, 2004 Melbourne, Australia. 5. Lee A, Lee N, Tsang KK, et al. 2003 Youth Risk Behaviour Survey in Hong Kong. Journal of Primary Care and Health Promotion 2005; In Press. Competing interests: None declared