What can be done? Suicidal behaviour among school-aged adolescents aged 13 to 18 in Luxembourg
Report by HBSC Luxembourg
Researchers at HBSC Luxembourg have published a report on suicidal behaviour among school-aged adolescents in Luxembourg. The researchers analysed data from 24,528 young people aged between 13 and 18. The data was collected during the four waves of the HBSC survey in Luxembourg between 2006 and 2022 (2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022).
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In the report, the young people’s responses highlight trends and inequalities in suicidal behaviour. There are four indicators of suicidal behaviour: sadness, suicidal ideation, suicide planning and suicide attempts. It also highlights the role of behavioural and social factors such as health behaviours, gender identity and peer relationships.
Key findings
- Young people in Luxembourg are affected: Since 2006, the prevalence of sadness and suicidality (suicidal ideation, planning and attempts) among adolescents have increased.
- Girls and non-cisgender youths are particularly vulnerable : Girls consistently reported higher levels of sadness and suicidal behaviour than boys. This marked gender disparity persists across all survey waves. In 2022, non-cisgender adolescents reported the highest prevalences of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.
- Tackle social inequalities so every young person can thrive: Adolescents from less affluent families reported higher levels of suicidal behaviour than their peers from well-off families.
- Healthy lifestyle patterns protect young people: Lifestyle patterns emerged from their health behaviours, including fruits and vegetables consumption, physical activity, substance use as well as problematic social media use. Young people with lifestyle patterns characterised by several concurrent risk behaviours showed the highest vulnerability to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.
- A supportive social environment is essential for young people: The report shows that bullying was strongly associated with suicidal behaviour, whilst peer support emerged as an overall protective factor.
Conclusion: Suicide prevention must take social inequalities into account.
The HBSC-Luxembourg report shows that suicide prevention must take into account social inequalities, identity-related vulnerabilities and the interactions between different health behaviours. The findings make it clear that equal opportunities, inclusion and health promotion must be integrated into existing policy frameworks. Only in this way can the well-being of all young people in Luxembourg thrive.
