Prevalence of suicidality and associated factors of suicide risk in a representative community sample of families in three East African refugee camps

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of suicidality and associated factors of suicide risk in a sample of Burundian refugee families living in three refugee camps in Tanzania. Methods: Children (n = 230) and their parents (n = 460) were randomly selected and interviewed about suicidality (suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts) and a range of sociodemographic, psychological, and environmental factors. […]

Suicide among refugees: A mockery of humanity

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report “World at War” released in June 2015 states that in 2014 there were 19.5 million refugees, 38.2 million were displaced inside their own countries, and 1.8 million people were asylum seekers. Worldwide displacement was at the highest level recorded. There is overwhelming evidence that being a […]

Prevalence of suicidality and associated factors of suicide risk in a representative community sample of families in three East African refugee camps

Purpose To assess the prevalence of suicidality and associated factors of suicide risk in a sample of Burundian refugee families living in three refugee camps in Tanzania. Methods Children (n = 230) and their parents (n = 460) were randomly selected and interviewed about suicidality (suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts) and a range of sociodemographic, psychological, and environmental factors. […]

Suicide and suicide attempts among asylum-seekers in Denmark

Objective: There are concerns that asylum-seekers are at increased risk of suicide attempt and suicide mortality. Yet, largescale nationwide studies are limited. Our aim was to examine whether asylum-seekers in Denmark had higher rates of suicide attempt and suicide when compared to the general population. Methods: A retrospective cohort design was used. Data on asylum-seekers and the […]

Global migration: Moral, political and mental health challenges

Global migration is expected to continue to increase as climate change, conflict and economic disparities continue to challenge peoples’ lives. The political response to migration is a social determinant of mental health. Despite the potential benefits of migration, many migrants and refugees face significant challenges after they resettle. The papers collected in this thematic issue […]

Suicidal ideation among Lebanese adolescents: Scale validation, prevalence and correlates

Background In addition to the unstable political situation, Lebanon had experienced a cycle of wars, local armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and crises (lack of clean water, recurrent power failure, and waste mismanagement, in addition to the growing number of unemployed people, as the number of Syrian refugees has dramatically increased, and led to competition for […]

Correlates of suicide ideation and resilience among native- and foreign-born adolescents in the United States

Purpose Nearly 20% of U.S. adolescents have considered suicide. Yet, gaps remain in understanding correlates of resilience and suicide risk, especially among populations born outside the United States who may face unique migration- and acculturation-related stressors. This study adds to the literature by exploring correlates of suicide ideation among a diverse population. Methods This study analyzes quantitative […]

Suicide among psychiatric patients who migrated to the UK: A national clinical survey

Background Within the UK, limited research has examined migration and suicide risk. To assist with tailoring mental health care to the needs of different migrant groups, it is important to identify the clinical profile and antecedents to suicide. Methods We focussed on two groups of migrants: those resident in the UK for less than 5 […]

Differences in all-cause and cause-specific mortality due to external causes and suicide between young adult refugees, non-refugee immigrants and Swedish-born young adults: The role of education and migration-related factors

Background International migration has increased during the past years and little is known about the mortality of young adult immigrants and refugees that came to Sweden as children. This study aimed to investigate 1) the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in young accompanied and unaccompanied refugees and non-refugee immigrants compared to Swedish born individuals; […]

Reaching the final straw: Shedding light on alarming suicide trends and perceptions impacting women, girls, and young people stuck in limbo in Northwest Syria

The majority of children and families in Northwest Syria have been displaced from their homes during the conflict. The 9,000 square kilometre area houses more than 2.87 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), 63% of whom still reside in overcrowded camps. The more than 1.7 million girls and boys in Northwest Syria are particularly prone to health outbreaks – much […]

Suicidal ideation and attempt among North Korean refugee women in South Korea: Factors that distinguish suicide attempt from suicidal ideation

Background North Korean Refugee Women (NKRW) are at a high risk for suicide. However, few studies have examined risk factors for suicide among NKRW in South Korea. This study aimed to examine factors increasing risk for suicidal ideation and to identify factors differentiating suicide attempt from ideation among NKRW in South Korea. Methods A sample […]

Perceived social stigma, self-concealment, and suicide risk among North Korean refugee women exposed to traumatic events

Introduction Suicide among North Korean (NK) refugee women is one of the most concerning public health problems in South Korea. Pre-resettlement trauma exposure and post-resettlement factors can contribute to suicide risk among NK refugee women; however, few studies have explored these associations. Methods This study aimed to assess suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among NK […]

Suicide rates and suicidal behaviour in displaced people: A systematic review

Background Refugees, and other forcibly displaced people, face mental distress and may be disproportionately affected by risk factors for suicide. Little is known about suicidal behaviour in these highly mobile populations because collecting timely, relevant, and reliable data is challenging. Methods and findings A systematic review was performed to identify studies of any design reporting […]

Prevalence of suicide in immigrants/refugees: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective In recent years, there has been an increase in immigrant populations worldwide. This study aims to present the global prevalence of suicide between immigrants and refugees as well as to report the prevalence of suicide ideation, suicide mortality, suicide attempts, and plan of suicide. Method Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA’s) […]

Staff perspectives of safety planning as a suicide prevention intervention for people of refugee and asylum-seeker background: A qualitative investigation

Background: Safety planning involves the co-development of a personalized list of coping strategies to prevent a suicide crisis. Aims: We explored the perspectives of workers regarding safety planning as a suicide prevention strategy for people of refugee background and those seeking asylum in Australia. Method: Participants attended suicide prevention training, specific to refugees and asylum seekers, at which safety planning […]

An evaluation of suicide prevention education for people working with refugees and asylum seekers: Improvements in competence, attitudes, and confidence

Background: There are concerning rates of suicidality among asylum seekers and refugees in Australia, and tailored suicide prevention initiatives are needed. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the impact of a tailored suicide prevention education program for people working with asylum seekers and refugees. Method: Attendees of the education program completed self-report questionnaires at pretraining, posttraining, and 4–6 months follow-up. Results: Over 400 […]

Preventing suicide in refugees and asylum seekers: A rapid literature review examining the role of suicide prevention training for health and support staff

Background Refugees and asylum seekers are exposed to a unique set of circumstances and experiences that are associated with an increased suicide risk. Suicide prevention training has been recognised as a central component supporting a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. Limited literature exists exploring the role of suicide prevention training for health and support staff […]

Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among refugees: A meta‑analysis

Background Suicidal ideation and attempts are one of the most serious mental health problems affecting refugees. Risk factors such as mental disorders, low socio-economic status, and stressful life events all contribute to making refugees a high-risk group. For this reason, this meta-analysis aims to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among refugees in […]

Suicide rates and suicidal behaviour in displaced people: A systematic review

Background Refugees, and other forcibly displaced people, face mental distress and may be disproportionately affected by risk factors for suicide. Little is known about suicidal behaviour in these highly mobile populations because collecting timely, relevant, and reliable data is challenging. Methods and findings A systematic review was performed to identify studies of any design reporting […]

The experiences of Syrian mothers who are refugees in Canada: An exploration of emotion work and coping

The refugee crisis is one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. Refugee mothers endure elevated rates of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicidality. However, existing interventions for mothers who are refugees are scarce and rarely provide adequate support for their specific mental health needs and challenges. Thus, this […]

Risk of suicide attempt and suicide in young adult refugees compared to their Swedish-born peers: A register-based cohort study

Purpose Refugees, especially minors, who often have experienced traumatic events, are a vulnerable group regarding poor mental health. Little is known, however, of their risk of suicidal behaviour as young adults. We aimed to investigate the risk of suicidal behaviour for young adult refugees who migrated as minors. The moderating role of education and history […]

High suicide rates among unaccompanied minors/youth seeking asylum in Sweden

Background and aim: We aimed to assess rates and background factors of suicide among unaccompanied minors/youth (10-21 years of age) seeking asylum in Sweden in 2017, and to compare these rates with rates in the Swedish general population of the same age. Method: Data were collected and validated using information from four governmental agencies and two nongovernmental organizations. […]

The mental health of immigrants and refugees: Canadian evidence from a nationally linked database

Abstract Background: Few studies of the healthy immigrant effect (HIE) have examined the mental health outcomes of Canadian‑born individuals on a national scale compared with immigrants by admission category. This study fills this gap by examining the self‑reported mental health (SRMH) of immigrants by admission category and other immigration dimensions (e.g., source world region and […]