Do peer support groups prevent suicide in high schoolers?

Introduction

The effectiveness of peer support groups in preventing suicide among high school students has been a topic of significant research. Various studies have explored different aspects of peer support, including the role of peer leaders, the impact of social networks, and the influence of adult support within the school environment. This synthesis aims to present the key findings from multiple research papers to determine whether peer support groups can effectively prevent suicide in high schoolers.

Key Insights

Effectiveness of Peer Leaders in Suicide Prevention Programs:
- Peer leaders trained in programs like Sources of Strength showed improved adaptive norms regarding suicide, increased connectedness to adults, and higher school engagement. These leaders were more likely to refer suicidal friends to adults, and the program increased perceptions of adult support among students, especially those with a history of suicidal ideation .
- The LifeSavers peer-support program in rural communities demonstrated significant increases in knowledge and positive attitudes toward suicide prevention among participants, although it did not significantly impact self-acceptance.
Impact of Social Support and Network Structures:
- Stronger social integration and cohesive peer networks were associated with lower rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. Schools with more integrated youth-adult relationships and cohesive peer networks had lower suicide attempt rates.
- Perceived parental involvement and adult social support at both the student and school levels were negatively related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. These supports also mitigated the relationship between peer victimization and suicidal behaviors .
School-Based Interventions and Emotional Well-being:
- Programs like C-CARE and CAST, which include one-to-one assessments, crisis interventions, and small-group support, were effective in reducing suicidal ideation, depression, and hopelessness. These programs also enhanced personal control and problem-solving coping skills .
- Positive-themed messages delivered by peer leaders, focusing on healthy coping and identifying trusted adults, improved classmates' coping attitudes and perceptions of adult support, particularly benefiting students with a history of suicidal ideation.

Conclusion

The collective findings from these studies suggest that peer support groups, particularly those involving trained peer leaders and integrated with adult support, can be effective in preventing suicide among high school students. Programs that enhance social integration, provide emotional support, and promote healthy coping mechanisms show promise in reducing suicidal ideation and behaviors. The involvement of both peers and adults in creating a supportive school environment is crucial for the success of these interventions.

Do peer support groups prevent suicide in high schoolers?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

An outcome evaluation of the Sources of Strength suicide prevention program delivered by adolescent peer leaders in high schools.

The Sources of Strength suicide prevention program effectively enhances protective factors in high school students and peer leaders, leading to increased referrals and acceptance of help.

Evaluation of indicated suicide risk prevention approaches for potential high school dropouts.

School-based suicide risk prevention interventions, such as Coping and Support Training, are effective in reducing suicidal behaviors and emotional distress, and enhancing protective factors in potential high school dropouts.

Peer Victimization and Suicidal Behaviors Among High School Youth

Peer victimization (bullying, physical violence, dating violence) consistently predicts suicide attempts among high school students, but not suicidal ideation.

Mediating effects of an indicated prevention program for reducing youth depression and suicide risk behaviors.

Teacher social support and peer group support in an indicated prevention program for high-risk youth partially mediate the reduction in depression and suicide risk behaviors through increased personal control.

Do Parental Involvement and Adult Support Matter for Students’ Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior in High School?

Parental involvement and adult social support at school can reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in high school students, but school-level support may exacerbate the effects of peer victimization.

Suicidal ideation and behaviors within the school context: Perceived teacher, peer and parental support

High school students with higher levels of teacher, peer, and parental support are less likely to experience suicidal ideation and behaviors.

Peer-support suicide prevention in a non-metropolitan U.S. community.

LifeSavers peer-support suicide prevention training significantly increased knowledge, positive attitudes, and self-esteem in rural high school youth, but not self-acceptance.

Peer‐adult network structure and suicide attempts in 38 high schools: implications for network‐informed suicide prevention

School-level peer and youth-adult relationship patterns influence suicide attempts, suggesting that maximizing connections and promoting healthy coping could create more protective schools.

Positive-Themed Suicide Prevention Messages Delivered by Adolescent Peer Leaders: Proximal Impact on Classmates' Coping Attitudes and Perceptions of Adult Support.

Positive-focused presentations by adolescent peer leaders in suicide prevention programs positively impact students' coping attitudes and perceptions of adult support, with greater benefits for those with suicide ideation.

Development and pilot study of a suicide prevention intervention delivered by peer support specialists.

The Peers for Valued Living (PREVAIL) peer support intervention is feasible and acceptable for patients at high risk for suicide in inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations.

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