Life-saving opportunities to prevent suicide among autistic people are being missed because systemic barriers make it difficult for them to access NHS support during times of mental health crisis, according to new research.

About The Study: This cohort study found an association of parental diseases of despair (defined as a suicide attempt, alcohol-related disease, or substance use disorder) with youth suicidal events; this finding may be underlying the increase in adolescent suicidal behavior observed in the U.S. over the past 2 decades. Improved access to care for parents with diseases of despair and systematic screening and referral of their offspring could help to reduce the adolescent suicide rate.

The accuracy of machine learning algorithms for predicting suicidal behavior is too low to be useful for screening or for prioritizing high-risk individuals for interventions, according to a new study published Sept. 11 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Matthew Spittal of the University of Melbourne, Australia, and colleagues.

The number of Michigan children whose parents died from overdose, suicide, homicide or other substance-related causes has surged since 2000, accounting for 2 in 5 parental deaths, a new University of Michigan study found.

Virtual reality is emerging as a powerful tool to improve care for veterans, including helping community members recognize suicide warning signs. Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington have conducted two studies exploring how the technology can address the complex challenges veterans face.

Canada must enact strong, effective legislation to protect youth from gambling advertising. Minors are suffering harms from problem gambling despite age restrictions, argue authors in an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).