Suicidal behaviours in a population-based sample of French youth

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and behaviours in a large, representative sample of French youth and to evaluate age and sex correlates. Method: 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.