Life Skills and Suicidal Behavior among Adolescent Students in Mexico

Abstract

Introduction. In 2018 and 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death among Mexican adolescents. Understanding how this population group copes with the challenges of everyday life constitutes a crucial step in the development of the life skills (LS) approach in schools, contributing to suicide prevention efforts.

Objective. To characterize specific LS experiences with respect to suicidal behavior among adolescent students in three states of Mexico prior to implementing an educational initiative for suicide prevention.

Method. We conducted qualitative research, using information gathered from six focus groups (FGs) of middle school students and content analysis.

Results. Three LS were explored: decision-making, problem-solving and conflict resolution (negotiation) and managing emotions. The experiences students shared were mainly linked to family and school environments, where asymmetrical power relations between adolescents and adults undermined the development of these skills. Participants’ knowledge of suicidal behavior stemmed from close experience of either attempted suicide or self-harm practices.

Discussion and conclusion. The findings of this study highlight the importance of implementing LS interventions in schools given the limited development of these skills among adolescents. Determining the status of LS in the student population prior to conducting educational interventions is key to designing effective actions and adapting the LS approach to the specific socioeconomic and cultural contexts of students and their families.