Suicidality in Youth During COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This narrative review on COVID-19 youth suicidality (ideation, attempts and completed) summarizes research that is primarily on prevalence and risk
factors derived from survey and medical records data. The prevalence of suicidality has been highly variable across different countries at different times during the pandemic, although it has been more prevalent after a couple weeks into lockdown periods. Inactivity and excessive time on social media have been risk factors, but loneliness, anxiety and depression were the most frequently reported risk factors for suicidality at all levels. Protective factors have included school closures that were thought to lead to less academic pressure, peer conflict and bullying. The studies are limited by being cross-sectional, not longitudinal, making it difficult to determine causality or directionality of effects.