Mortality trends in suicide among pediatric and adolescent patients aged 15–24 years in Mississippi, 2012–2022

Abstract

Due to the lack of studies examining suicide trends and its implications on pediatric populations, this study aimed to address the gap in research and to identify the magnitude and the impact of suicide by exploring trends in suicide among Mississippians from 2012 to 2022. The study uses data from the Mississippi Statistically Automated Health Resource System, which is an online database with data collected from vital statistics. Joinpoint regression models were used to calculate annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) as an indicator of trends. The overall age-adjusted suicide rate increased from 9.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2012 to 10.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 for pediatric and adolescent patients aged 15–24 years (14.9% increase). There are upward trends for females (AAPC, 6.33%, 95% CI, −0.82%–16.82%), Blacks (AAPC, 7.72%, 95% CI, 2.19%–16.47%), and other races (AAPC, 7.59%, 95% CI, −0.83%–21.47%). Males had a downward trend from 2015 to 2022 (APC, −1.46%, 95 CI, −14.05%–1.35%). Whites also had a downward trend from 2017 to 2022 (APC, 4.74%, 95% CI, −15.42% to −0.96%). This study identified an overall increase in suicide. However, trends varied by gender, race, and age. Based on the findings, Mississippi needs more initiatives aimed toward equitable prevention of suicide among youth and the implementation of gun control policies. By implementing these measures, Mississippi could tremendously benefit and improve mental health outcomes and reduce suicide within the state.

Keywords

mortality / prevention / suicide

References

[1] Suicide. World health organization. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide

[2] Global suicide statistics. International association of suicide prevention. 2023. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://www.iasp.info/wspd/references/#:~:text=An estimated 703 000 people die bysuicide worldwide each year.&text=Over one in every 100,was the result of suicide.&text=The global suicide rate is,high among men than women.&text=Over half (58%25) of,age of 50 years old

[3] Suicide Data and Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html

[4] Mississippi Suicide prevention plan. Mississippi department of mental health. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://www.dmh.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Suicide-Prevention-Plan-Final-1.pdf

[5] SAS studio. SAS. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://support.sas.com/en/software/studio-support.html

[6] V 5.0 - default settings changes. Joinpoint Help System. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://surveillance.cancer.gov/help/joinpoint/joinpoint-5-0-default-settings-changes

[7] Bayesian information criterion. Science Direct Topics. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/bayesian-information-criterion

[8] Messias E, Salas J, Wilson L, Scherrer JF. Temporal location of changes in the US suicide rate by age, ethnicity, and race: a joinpoint analysis 1999-2020. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2023; 211(7): 530-536.

[9] Villodas ML. Suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury: a narrative review of measurement, risk, and disparities among minoritized and system-involved youth in the USA. Children. 2024; 11(4): 466.

[10] Still ringing the alarm: An enduring call to action for Black Youth Suicide Prevention. Center for Gun Violence Solutions, Bloomberg school of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/2023/still-ringing-the-alarm-an-enduring-call-to-action-for-black-youth-suicide-prevention

[11] Suicide Rates Have Increased Dramatically Among African Americans. University of Houston. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2022-news-articles/february-2022/02022022-african-american-suicide-trend-rheeda-walker.php

[12] Ramchand R, Gordon JA, Pearson JL. Trends in suicide rates by race and ethnicity in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2021; 4(5):e2111563.

[13] Suicide Rates Have Risen Among People of Color. U.S. news. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-02-09/suicide-rates-have-risen-among-people-of-color

[14] Suicide statistics. American foundation for suicide prevention. Accessed July 6, 2024. https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/

[15] Zolot J. Female youth suicides on the rise, narrowing gap with young males. Am J Nurs. 2019; 119(8): 12.

[16] Carretta RF, McKee SA, Rhee TG. Gender differences in risks of suicide and suicidal behaviors in the USA: a narrative review. Curr Psychiatr Rep. 2023; 25(12): 809-824.

[17] Mississippi statisically Automated Health Resource System. Mississippi statisically automated health resource system. Accessed 6 July 2024. https://mstahrs.msdh.ms.gov/

[18] Meza JI, Snyder S, Shanholtz C. Equitable suicide prevention for youth impacted by the juvenile legal system. Front Psychiatr. 2022; 13:994514.

[19] Meza JI, Bath E. One size does not fit all: making suicide prevention and interventions equitable for our increasingly diverse communities. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021; 60(2): 209-212.

[20] Calabrese TM, Hamilton JG, Benton TD, Standley CJ. Suicide prevention takes a nation: collaborative approaches to universalize suicide prevention. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2024; 33(3): 423-435.

[21] Marraccini ME, Lindsay CA, Griffin D, Greene MJ, Simmons KT, Ingram KM. A trauma- and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI)-informed approach to suicide prevention in school: black boys' lives matter. Sch Psychol Rev. 2023; 52(3): 292-315.

[22] Haddad K, Lindquist-Grantz R, Vilvens H, Boards A, Jacquez F, Vaughn L. Empowering youth to build BRIDGES: youth leadership in suicide prevention. Collab A J Community Based Res Pract. 2020; 3(1): 10.

[23] Canady VA. First federal action plan for suicide prevention released by administration. Ment Health Wkly. 2024; 34(17): 1-3.

[24] Hickie IB. Time to implement national mental health reform. Med J Aust. 2015; 202(10): 515-517.

[25] Paul ME, Coakley BA. State gun regulations and reduced gun ownership are associated with fewer firearm-related suicides among both US juveniles and adults. J Pediatr Surg. 2023; 58(9): 1796-1802.

[26] Kawano B, Agarwal S, Krishnamoorthy V, Raghunathan K, Fernandez-Moure JS, Haines KL. Restrictive firearm laws and firearm-related suicide. J Am Coll Surg. 2023; 236(1): 37-44.

[27] Karaye IM, Knight G, Kyriacou C. Association between the New York SAFE act and firearm suicide and homicide: an analysis of synthetic controls, New York State, 1999‒2019. Am J Publ Health. 2023; 113(12): 1309-1317.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 The Author(s). Pediatric Discovery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.