Childhood Sleep Problems Linked to Increased Suicide Risk

Research suggests that children who experience sleep problems may be at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts as they get older.

A study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that severe sleep disturbances at age 10 were associated with a 2.7-fold increased risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts two years later.

According to Rebecca Burnert, a suicide researcher and founder of the Stanford Suicide Prevention Institute in California, “Sleep problems are easy to treat and highly visible, so this research is important to help prevent future problems.”

Suicide is the leading cause of death among children aged 10 to 14, and sleep disorders are also common in this age group.

The authors of the study used data from over 8,800 children recruited from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study at 21 sites across the United States.

Experts say that insufficient quality or quantity of sleep can affect brain function, interfering with brain development, mood, anxiety, and emotional regulation.

Lack of emotional regulation and fatigue can interfere with decision making, reduce the ability to cope with stress, increase impulsivity, and make problem solving more difficult.

Creating a calming routine an hour before bed, limiting cell phone use, homework, and exercise, and engaging in relaxing activities like light reading, journaling, or listening to soothing music can help improve sleep quality.

While there is no way to predict a suicide attempt, there are warning signs, including extreme mood swings and feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.

Talking openly with children about mental health and seeking professional help can also reduce the risk of suicidal behavior.

Parental involvement can also have an impact, with studies showing that when parents show interest in their children, their risk of suicidal behavior can be reduced by 15%.