Suicide Prevention Among Adolescents: Integrating Psychological Assistance with Legal and Social Frameworks

Adolescent suicide remains one of the most pressing global public health challenges, reflecting a complex interplay of psychological vulnerability, social disconnection, and inadequate institutional responses. Despite advances in clinical psychology and psychiatry, prevention strategies often remain fragmented, failing to bridge mental health care with the legal and social protection systems necessary for sustainable impact. This paper examines adolescent suicide through a multidimensional framework integrating psychological, legal, and social components. Drawing on international research, case studies, and policy analyses from WHO, UNICEF, and national health ministries, the study emphasizes that early identification, confidential psychological counseling, and family-based interventions must operate alongside legally mandated protection protocols and community engagement programs. Empirical data were collected from three regions representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds, using a mixed-methods approach combining surveys, interviews, and psychological assessments. Empirical data were collected using a mixed-methods design from three Central Asian countries Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan comprising survey responses from 612 adolescents aged 13–18, alongside interviews with parents, educators, psychologists, and legal or social-service professionals. The findings highlight critical gaps in legal accountability and the underutilization of social networks as preventive tools. The proposed integrative model the P-L-S framework aims to synchronize multidisciplinary responses to at-risk adolescents, fostering early detection and coordinated intervention. The article concludes by advocating for a cross-sectoral policy agenda that aligns educational institutions, healthcare systems, and justice departments within a unified prevention ecosystem.