Background: The suicide rate among Iraqis is rising, with many analysts attributing it to political instability, exposure to trauma, economic hopelessness, social stigma surrounding mental health as well as cultural and societal pressures. However, the prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated risk factors in Iraqi youth is unknown, requiring urgent attention and effective public health initiatives. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore rates of suicidal ideation and associated risk factors among female secondary school students in Baghdad, Iraq. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted, utilising quantitative survey data collected in four girls’ secondary schools across Baghdad, Iraq, between August and December 2023. The survey consisted of questions relating to their demographic characteristics (age, gender, school) and a series of measures pertaining to participants’ levels of suicidal ideation, as well as factors commonly identified in the literature as predictors of suicide. Results: Four-hundred and two female participants took part. Participants were aged between 13 and 17 years (M = 15.50; SD = 1.22). In total 11.3% of the students scored in the at-risk range for suicidal behaviour and only 20.1% (n = 91) said they had not had some thoughts of suicide in the previous two weeks. Previous diagnoses of anxiety, high levels of depression and hopelessness, and poor quality of life were significant risk factors for suicidal ideation. On average, students reported moderate levels of depression and high levels of hopelessness. Conclusions: Female Iraqi secondary school students experience high levels of suicidality, alongside several other known risk factors for suicide ideation. However, a limitation of this study is that cross-sectional designs limit causal interpretation. Findings emphasise the importance of developing targeted school-based interventions to support students’ mental health. Increasing research and attention in this area is vital to not only improving the mental health of students in Iraq but also reducing the stigma around mental health and suicide. Future policies should include specific mental health support for those young people affected by conflict, displacement and family loss, integrating trauma-informed care into both mental health and educational services.

Adolescent mental health difficulties represent a significant public health concern. This study aimed to identify prevalence rates and predictors of suicide ideation, depressive symptoms, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Iraqi adolescents. A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was used. A total of 469 adolescents aged 12–20 years (M = 16.25) participated across eight high schools in Baghdad. Multiple regression models were used to examine predictors. Mean depressive (M = 12.99) and PTSD (M = 30.98) symptom scores were in the ‘moderate’ range, with the majority of participants scoring in the ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ range (73.1% and 75.5%, depressive and PTSD symptoms, respectively). A total of 12.6% of young people scored in the ‘high risk’ range for suicidal behavior. Females reported higher depressive symptoms and higher PTSD symptoms. Older age was negatively associated with suicide ideation but positively associated with PTSD symptoms. Quality of life emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictor across all models. Hopelessness predicted suicide ideation, while PTSD symptoms predicted depression. In summary, adolescents were experiencing clinically elevated rates of depressive and PTSD symptoms on average. A significant minority were also experiencing suicidal thoughts. Interventions that enhance functioning, reduce hopelessness, and incorporate trauma-informed approaches may be effective targets for prevention and early intervention.

Adolescent mental health difficulties represent a significant public health concern. This study aimed to identify prevalence rates and predictors of suicide ideation, depressive symptoms, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Iraqi adolescents. A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was used. 469 adolescents aged 12-20 years (M=16.25) participated across eight high schools in Iraq. Multiple regression models were used to examined predictors. Mean depressive (M=14.01) and PTSD (M=30.98) symptom scores were in the ‘moderate’ range, with the majority of participants scoring in the ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’ range (80% and 75.5%, depressive and PTSD symptoms respectively). 12.4% of young people scored in the ‘high risk’ range for suicidal behaviour. Males reported higher depressive symptoms, while females reported higher PTSD symptoms. Older age was negatively associated with suicide ideation but positively associated with PTSD symptoms. Quality of life emerged as the strongest and most consistent predictor across all models. Hopelessness predicted suicide ideation, while PTSD symptoms predicted depression. Adolescents were experiencing clinically elevated rates of depressive and PTSD symptoms on average. A significant minority were also experiencing suicidal thoughts. Interventions that enhance functioning, reduce hopelessness, and incorporate trauma-informed approaches may be effective targets for prevention and early intervention in Iraq.