Prevalence and determinants of suicidal ideation among South African Health Sciences students at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
The prevalence of suicidal ideation found in this study was higher than that found in the general South African adult population and highlights the need to further investigate and address student mental health, especially students in the field of Health Sciences. Interventions aimed at mitigating the determinants, including depression and anxiety, and promoting the development of protective factors such as resilience and social support may lead to a reduction in suicidal ideation in this population group. Institutional initiatives aimed at improving access to and the quality of mental health services offered to students should be widely advocated for and implemented.
Authors
- Soraya Seedat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5118-786X)
- Agnieszka Shepard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9150-1553)
- Saskia Maria De Gani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7992-7209)
- Mxolisi Masango (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0220-8281)
- Ryan G. Wagner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2741-3676)
- Fezile Wagner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1599-3485)
- Lerato P. Makuapane (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2179-3559)
- Lesedi Mashego (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2907-8954)
- Muhle Sengwayo
- Jordan Ochayon
- Caleb Vergie
Institutions
- South African Medical Research Council (ZA)
- Barrow Neurological Institute (US)
- University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
- Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance System (ZA)
- University of Pretoria (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Psychiatry
- Published
- 2025-03-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1492620
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.61