Investigation of adolescent suicide attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic period

The aim of the study was to reveal the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide attempts by adolescents during this period. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 adolescents using the criterion sampling method in a case study design. The interviews, which lasted an average of 45 minutes each, were conducted in the consultation room of the medical social service unit of a city hospital between March 5, 2023, and October 20, 2023. A semi-structured interview form containing seven questions was used in the research. Only seven participants used audio recording devices; for others, the interviews were transcribed into written form concurrently. The data obtained from the research were analyzed using descriptive analysis method through Excel and Word 2013 programs. It was found that there were multiple and interrelated factors that led adolescents to suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a risky period for suicide attempts during adolescence. Factors leading to suicide attempts reported by participants include family-related issues, peer-related problems, educational problems, and health-related issues. It was determined that the approach of participants' families to the suicide attempts was generally not good (55%). Participants expressed that their needs for support during the COVID-19 pandemic were not met. Additionally, participants conveyed the need for both psychiatric treatment and psycho-social support after a suicide attempt. 65% of participants stated that if events leading to suicide did not occur during the COVID-19 period, they would not have attempted suicide. In this context, it has emerged that appropriate social service interventions can be used effectively to prevent adolescents' suicide attempt behaviors by identifying the psycho-social supports they need.