Factors associated with suicide risk among Brazilian graduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Though pandemic-related suicides are a concern, little is known about factors potentially linking graduate student life and suicide risk. This study identified factors associated with suicide risk among Brazilian graduate students (N = 5,344) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, this study revealed that 31.5% of participants presented some risk for suicide: 16.6% low risk, 4.7% moderate risk, and 10.2% high risk. Higher income and religious affiliation were identified as protective factors. Identified risk factors encompass non-heterosexual orientation, a history of depression or posttraumatic stress or common mental disorders diagnoses, the use of medications-both general and psychopharmaceuticals-without medical prescription, antipsychotics use, alcohol consumption, lack of health insurance, and dissatisfaction with life as a result of accessing social media networks. The high vulnerability of graduate students to suicide risk highlights the need for institutional suicide prevention initiatives.

Automated summary

This study identified factors associated with suicide risk among Brazilian graduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings showed that graduate students had a high vulnerability to suicide risk, with higher income and religious affiliation acting as protective factors. Risk factors included non-heterosexual orientation, history of mental disorders, misuse of medications, alcohol consumption, and dissatisfaction with life due to social media use.