Suicide has become the leading cause of death among teenagers in Australia, and researchers are working urgently to understand why so many young people struggle with thoughts of ending their lives.
A new study from the University of the Sunshine Coast has shed light on several important risk factors that may increase the chance of suicidal thoughts during adolescence. The findings were published in the medical journal BMJ Open.
The research followed 159 young people aged between 12 and 17 over several years as part of a long-term project known as the Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study. This project tracks brain development and mental health changes across five years to better understand what affects young people during this sensitive stage of life.
One of the clearest findings from the study was the strong link between poor sleep and suicidal thoughts. Teenagers who regularly had trouble sleeping were about 2.6 times more likely to report suicidal ideation than those who slept well. Sleep is essential for brain health, emotional control, and stress recovery.
When young people don’t get enough quality sleep, their mood, thinking, and ability to cope with daily pressures can quickly worsen. Researchers say this is one of the first studies to show that the connection between sleep and suicidal thoughts continues across many years of adolescence.
The most powerful risk factor discovered, however, was socioeconomic disadvantage. Teenagers from families facing financial hardship were up to 8.7 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to those from more secure backgrounds. Poverty can affect almost every part of a young person’s life.
It can limit access to healthcare, education, stable housing, healthy food, and emotional support. Living under constant financial stress can also create feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and low self-worth, which are known contributors to mental health struggles.
The study also found that psychological distress played a major role. Adolescents who reported high levels of emotional stress, anxiety, or depressive symptoms were 5.7 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts. This shows that mental health difficulties themselves are closely tied to suicide risk.
Another factor linked to suicidal ideation was poor eating habits. Teenagers who had unhealthy diets or irregular eating patterns were more likely to struggle with these thoughts.
Nutrition affects brain function, mood stability, and energy levels. A lack of proper nutrients can worsen emotional regulation and increase vulnerability to mental health problems.
Importantly, the researchers caution that these factors do not directly cause suicide on their own. Instead, they are part of a complex web of influences. Some relationships may even work in both directions. For example, a teen who is already feeling suicidal may begin to sleep poorly, eat less healthily, and feel greater emotional distress.
Professor Daniel Hermens from the Thompson Institute says parents, teachers, and healthcare workers play an important role in prevention. Encouraging good sleep routines, healthy eating, and open conversations about emotions can help protect young people.
He stresses that asking teens directly about suicidal thoughts does not increase risk—in fact, it can help them feel supported and understood.
Study Review and Analysis: This study is important because it looks at teenagers over several years instead of relying on one-time surveys. The results strongly suggest that sleep problems, emotional stress, poor diet, and financial hardship are key warning signs linked to suicidal thinking.
While the research cannot prove cause and effect, it clearly highlights areas where families, schools, and health systems can intervene early. The strong link with socioeconomic disadvantage shows that mental health is deeply connected to social conditions.
Addressing poverty and improving access to resources may be just as important as psychological treatment. Overall, the study offers valuable evidence that suicide prevention must consider biological, emotional, and social factors together.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and results showing Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
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