A Cross-Sectional Study on Suicidal Ideation and Depression among School-Going Adolescents

Abstract

Suicide and suicidal attempts are currently major problems among students in our society. According to the World Health Organization, approximately one million people worldwide die by suicide every year. Sikkim, situated in the Himalayan foothills in the north-eastern part of India, is also known for having the highest suicide rates in the nation, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Depression is under-recognized and under-treated in adolescents, with nearly 75% of depressed adolescents not receiving treatment. Untreated depression in adolescence is related to different outcomes among adults, including lower educational attainment and poorer physical health, and it also sometimes leads adolescents to commit suicide. The present study sets out to investigate the association between suicidal ideation and depression among school-going adolescents. A survey was conducted among 100 adolescents (50 males and 50 females) using stratified random sampling from different schools in East Sikkim. The participants were assessed by using the Beck Suicidal Ideation and Beck Depression Inventory-II scales. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation. The findings indicated that suicidal ideation was positively associated with depression. A significant gender difference was also found in suicidal ideation and depression among adolescents. The findings will facilitate understanding the major problems behind suicide and suicidal attempts, which will further help in developing interventional strategies.