EurekAlert! In the Spotlight

This month, we're turning our attention to National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, an important time dedicated to raising awareness, breaking stigma, and exploring the science behind mental health and suicide prevention.

Suicide risk and living alone with depression or anxiety

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this cohort study of 3.7 million individuals, living alone with depression or anxiety was associated with an increased risk of suicide, particularly among middle-aged individuals and men. These findings underscore the importance of preventing mental illness, such as depression and anxiety, while addressing living arrangements as a critical factor in suicide risk assessments for individuals with these conditions.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

21-Mar-2025

Triggering parasitic plant ‘suicide’ to help farmers

University of California - Riverside
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Parasitic weeds are ruthless freeloaders, stealing nutrients from crops and devastating harvests. But what if farmers could trick these invaders into self-destructing? Scientists at UC Riverside think they’ve found a way.

Journal: Science

21-Mar-2025

State earned income tax credits and firearm suicides

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: In this cohort study, the presence and generosity of state refundable earned income tax credits were associated with a decrease in firearm suicide rates, supporting the growing body of literature highlighting the importance of antipoverty policies for reducing firearm suicide.

Journal: JAMA Network Open

19-Mar-2025

Suicide and self-harm events with GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with diabetes or obesity

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: There is unlikely to be an increase in the very low incidence of suicide-related adverse events among individuals receiving glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) within the context of randomized clinical trials. While these findings may further ease concerns about these adverse effects, continued monitoring is warranted to identify particular patients who may be at risk as extended use of GLP-1 RAs expands.

Journal: JAMA Psychiatry

19-Mar-2025

Lower education levels linked to higher suicide rates—up to 13 times higher

Korea University College of Medicine

A research team led by Professor Myung Ki from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Korea University College of Medicine (KUCM) recently published a study examining the link between education levels and suicide rates. The study found that among young men aged 30 to 44 whose highest level of education was elementary school or lower, the suicide rate was 6.1 to 13 times higher than that of men with a university or higher degree across all survey periods (1995–2020). These findings highlight the profound impact of socioeconomic disparities on suicide rates.

Journal: Social Science & Medicine

18-Mar-2025

Installing safety nets on Golden Gate Bridge linked to 73% decline in suicides

BMJ Group
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Early evidence indicates that the installation of safety nets on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco has been successful in reducing the number of suicides at the bridge.

The results, published online in the journal Injury Prevention, show a 73% decline in suicides in the 12 months since the nets were completed relative to the number before net installation began.

Journal: Injury Prevention
Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

Latest news releases

Suicide risk and living alone with depression or anxiety

Triggering parasitic plant ‘suicide’ to help farmers

State earned income tax credits and firearm suicides

Suicide and self-harm events with GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with diabetes or obesity

Lower education levels linked to higher suicide rates—up to 13 times higher

Installing safety nets on Golden Gate Bridge linked to 73% decline in suicides

Defensive firearm use is far less common than exposure to gun violence