Behind the data: Reflections from conducting school-based suicide prevention research with young people in the United Kingdom

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McCarthy, M orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-2504-6799, Wynne, S, Ashworth, E orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-5279-4514, Hendriks, O orcid iconORCID: 0009-0005-0990-318X and Saini, P orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-4981-7914 (2025) Behind the data: Reflections from conducting school-based suicide prevention research with young people in the United Kingdom. PLOS Mental Health, 2 (10). pp. 1-11. ISSN 2837-8156

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Abstract

Suicide is the leading cause of death among children and young people under 35 in the United Kingdom (UK), and suicide rates in this group are rising. Schools are considered an appropriate and logical setting for suicide prevention activities, with universal access to a wide range of young people. However, schools are complex settings, meaning research projects often encounter a number of logistical, engagement, and implementation challenges. This commentary presents learnings from a regionally based feasibility trial of an integrated response to suicide risk among UK secondary schools. We explore the barriers and challenges to engaging and conducting research on suicide and self-harm prevention with young people and offer recommendations for researchers.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1501 Primary Education
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools
L Education > LC Special aspects of education
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions: Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date of acceptance: 20 October 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access: 31 October 2025
Date Deposited: 31 Oct 2025 11:29
Last Modified: 31 Oct 2025 13:30
DOI or ID number: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000476
Editors: Montague-Cardoso, K
URI: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27455
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