Serious mental illnesses (SMI) take a tremendous toll on individuals, their friends and family, and society as a whole. SMI such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder contribute to poverty, unemployment, and homelessness, and can lead to hospitalization and suicide. Predicting when intensive intervention is needed in individual cases is a major unmet mental healthcare need.

Beyond the sneezing and itchy eyes, high pollen seasons are now linked to a significant increase in suicide risk.

A new review by a public health expert from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that finasteride, a common hair-loss drug, has been linked to depression and suicide for over two decades — yet regulators and manufacturers failed to act. Drawing on data from adverse event reports and healthcare records around the world, the study shows consistent psychiatric harm associated with the drug. Despite mounting evidence, neither Merck nor the FDA initiated critical safety studies. The author calls for urgent reform in how medications are monitored and approved.

Young people are increasingly turning to sodium nitrite and nitrate as a method of suicide after buying the products online, according to research presented during the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition at the Colorado Convention Center Sept. 26-30. The chemicals, which when ingested may cause hypoxia and eventual death, are often readily available for purchase online, according to the author. He said his findings indicate the need for a robust system with collaboration between public health officials, emergency responders and healthcare workers to address this growing concern.

Most children and teens between ages 10 to 17 who died by firearm suicide used a firearm that belonged to their parent, and often the firearm had been stored unlocked, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2025 National Conference & Exhibition. The research, “Who are the Firearm Owners in Youth Firearm Suicide?”  will be presented during the conference, held at the Colorado Convention Center from Sept. 26-30. The retrospective cohort study of 1,021 firearm suicides by youth ages 10-24 years was based on data from nine states from 2018-2021 reported to the CDC National Violent Death Reporting System. Compared to suicides by young adults (ages 20-24 years), the gun used in child suicide (ages 10-17) was 10 times more likely to be owned by a parent, the study found.