Three out of ten young students in Catalonia have had suicidal thoughts

In 2024, 547 people died by suicide in Catalonia, according to data published by theNSI, of which 53 were young people between 15 and 29 years old. Although this figure has decreased compared to 2023 (66), the indicators relating to suicidal behaviors in this age group are worrying: 25.9% of young people between 16 and 22 years old say they have self-harmed; 30.6%, who have had some suicidal thoughts, and 10.6%, who have attempted suicide. This is what the study says Suicidal behavior among young students in Catalonia: risk factors and protection, from the Social Observatory of the ”la Caixa” Foundation, carried out by researchers from the Sant Joan de Deu Health Park and the SJD Research InstituteJudith Usall i Rodiéand Regina Villa Badia. 

The study was carried out during 2024 and 2025 through an online questionnaire in which 3,159 young students from high school, vocational training, adult education and universities participated. With ages ranging between 16 and 22, they are all residents of Catalonia. 

The main objective of the research is to study the prevalence of suicidal behaviors in young people, explore the relevant social and psychological variables that can explain them, and determine gender-related differences. There is concern about the increase in suicidal behavior among young people, as death by suicide has become one of the leading causes of unnatural death in this age group. 

“After the pandemic there has been a significant increase in discomfort among young people; "In the last four years we have gone from 3.9 to 14.3% of hospital admissions with mental health problems in people aged 10 to 19," said Regina Vila Badia, principal investigator of the study and postdoctoral psychologist at the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park and theSJD Research Institute. 

The data confirms that there is great discomfort in the young population and, according to the researchers, this is evidenced by a high prevalence of suicidal behavior: "1 in 3 people has thought about committing suicide and 1 in 10 has made an attempt throughout their lives," says the psychologist, according to the results of the study. 

Multiple factors may have influenced this increase in mental health problems. Among the most relevant we find that 31.5% of the young people surveyed have suffered bullying at school or bullying, 31.1% the separation of parents and 20.4% have been exposed to violence in intimate relationships, circumstances that may have affected their well-being. In addition, difficult-to-manage family situations may have also influenced this, such as economic difficulties in the family environment (19.2%) or the loss of a first-degree relative (10.1%). 

How does gender affect it? 

There are important differences in terms of sex in relation to suicidal behaviors. As Regina Vila Badia has highlighted, "girls present more emotional distress and higher levels of anxiety and depression, as well as more impulsivity and a feeling of loneliness compared to boys."  

As can be seen in the graph below, both suicidal ideation and self-harm are between 10 and 19% higher in women than in men, and the cause may be lower social support, lower resilience and lower life satisfaction. Furthermore, as the researchers indicate, women have received more sexual and emotional abuse, and feel more alone, factors that may be decisive in understanding these results.  

The importance of prevention factors 

There are many factors that contribute to suicidal behavior, but according to the researchers, it is also very important to assess protective factors. Having social support, being resilient, being satisfied with what they do or having a stimulating educational environment can protect and promote the emotional well-being of young people.  

In this sense, social support, understood as the perception of having a network of significant people who offer emotional, practical and communicative help, is key to reducing the risk of these behaviors.  

According to the results of the study Suicidal behavior among young students in Catalonia: risk and protective factors, social support is significantly lower in young people who have had suicidal ideation or in those who have attempted suicide, 11 and 17% lower, respectively. And the same happens with young people who have less resilience, understood as the ability to face difficult experiences and adapt positively. This resilience is 8 and 11% lower in people with suicidal thoughts and attempts, as can be seen in the graph below, compared to young people who have never presented suicidal behaviors.  

Use of social networks: in the spotlight  

One of the factors that the study sought to delve into was the influence of social networks on the emotional distress of young people.  

According to the results, of the young people surveyed, only 4.1% consider that they make problematic use of social networks, 51.7% confirm that they view or have viewed pornography and 17.4% gamble, and all of these behaviors can intensify their emotional discomfort. Furthermore, among young people who exhibit suicidal behavior (thoughts or attempts), an increase of between 6 and 8% in problematic use of social networks is observed.  

"Social media is very concerning in relation to mental health problems. However, in our study we do not see that there is a direct relationship between its use and emotional distress, but rather the use of networks reinforces this feeling," points out Regina Vila, one of the main researchers, although the psychologist specifies: "Once discomfort is present, using social media in a problematic way can lead to an increase in this discomfort."  

According to the researchers, to reduce the risk of suicidal behavior, it is key to strengthen social support, resilience and the healthy use of social networks at school, at home and in the community. "What surprised us most in the interviews is that the vast majority of people have not asked for help, even people who have made an attempt have not commented on it, and this is very relevant," concludes Regina Vila Badia, researcher at the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park and the SJD Research Institute. That's why it's so important that we learn to ask them so we can help and accompany them better.