Temporal changes in suicides among young people in Finland from 2016 to 2023

Abstract Background Suicide is the most common cause of death among young people in Finland. Previous research has shown that depressive and anxiety symptoms have increased among young people. In the present study, the aim is to examine temporal changes in suicides among young people from 2016 to 2023. Methods We identified all individuals aged less than 25 years who died by suicide in Finland from 2016 to 2023 from the autopsy reports of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and combined with data from the Care Register for Health Care, which includes primary and specialized healthcare. Results Suicide rates among men declined in 2020 and 2021 but thereafter increased, reaching their highest level in 2023. Depressive disorder was the most common contributing factor to suicide among women, and its frequency increased during the study period. In 2023, depressive disorder was noted as a contributing factor in approximately 60% of suicides among women. For men, temporal changes were not apparent, and depressive disorders along with substance use disorders were the most common contributing factors. The proportion of people who had been in contact with healthcare slightly increased during the study period, with over half of the young people having been in contact with healthcare within one month prior to suicide. Conclusions Depressive disorder was increasingly noted as a contributing factor for suicide among women, which is compatible with the rise of depressive disorders among young women in the general population. In young men, substance use disorders were common contributing factors as well. Thus, the availability and quality of mental health and substance abuse services play a significant role in suicide prevention in primary as well as specialized healthcare. Key messages • Over half of the young people had been in contact with healthcare within 1 month prior to suicide. • Depressive and substance use disorders were the most common contributing factors.