Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide-related risk among college students: A cross-sectional analysis

This study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to suicide-related risks among college students during a stressful life event, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) model, data from 808 college students were analyzed, revealing key interactions and predictive insights into suicide-related risk. Results indicated that preexisting depression emerged as the most significant risk factor, followed by anxiety, discrimination, stress, and younger age. These findings emphasize the importance of preventive measures targeting depression and anxiety to enhance college students' mental health and well-being. The study's implications extend to informing future research, practical interventions, and policy-making efforts addressing suicide-related risk among college students.