Introduction: Suicide rates among young people have increased in several countries, while overall suicide rates have remained stable or even decreased. Much research has focused on specific risk factors of suicidal behaviour, while the specific needs of young people with lived experience have been understudied. The current study aimed firstly to identify the needs of young adults with lived experience to prevent or recover from suicidal behaviour. Secondly, we aimed to examine the differences in needs between men and women, as in the Netherlands, more young men (70%) die by suicide and more young women (72%) seriously attempt suicide.
Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 young adults (9 males, 10 females) who had experienced suicidal thoughts in the last two years. Open-ended questions addressed the needs for help and support in terms of suicide prevention. The Stress-Vulnerability model was used as a guiding framework. The data was first thematically analysed and grouped into six categories. Secondly, we compared the needs and experiences of men and women.
Results: The most important needs concerned: 1) breaking the taboo on and 2) facilitating conversations about mental health problems, suicidal thoughts, and help-seeking. Additional needs included: 3) improving mental health literacy of young adults, 4) enhancing access to health or support services, 5) ensuring that health care services better meet the needs of young adults, and 6) gaining perspective and finding meaning in life. Several differences in needs between young men and women were observed. Young men needed more external encouragement to open up about their suicidal thoughts, as well as guidance to seek help for suicidal thoughts.
Conclusion: This study confirms the necessity of including the needs of young people with lived experience in order to develop tailored suicide prevention strategies. A more open conversation about suicidal thoughts was identified as the most important need for young adults in general. Young men, in particular, articulated a need for guidance in disclosing their suicidal thoughts and seeking help.