[Suicide, mental health and substance uses among French adolescents in 2014].

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe potential associations between suicidal behaviors and psychoactive substance uses among adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, national survey representative of adolescents aged 17, living in continental France, was conducted in 2014. A total of 22,023 adolescents answered an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire about their health and their use of psychoactive substances. Suicidal risk was assessed by means of a 4-level indicator [1. No depression, as stipulated by the Adolescent Depression Rating Scale (ADRS); 2. Depression, no suicidal ideation, no suicidal attempts; 3. Depression with suicidal ideation; 4. Depression with suicidal attempts]. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to identify the factors significantly related to frequent substance uses.

RESULTS

Three percent of adolescents (1.8% of boys vs. 3.7% of girls) were labeled as suffering from severe depression, 10% stated they had suicidal thoughts during the last year and 3% attempted to commit suicide at least once in their lifetime. The results support the view of a gradient between suicidal risk severity and regular use of tobacco and cannabis. The association with regular alcohol use appears somewhat weaker.

CONCLUSION

Suicidal behaviors and regular substance uses are significantly related but also mediated by adolescents' mental health.