What does this research mean for the field?

Nearly 20% of commercially insured individuals seeking outpatient mental health services experience suicidal ideation, with rates disproportionately high among adolescents (32.8%) and nonbinary individuals (37.5%). Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize the prevalence of suicidal ideation and evaluate associated demographic and social risk factors among commercially insured individuals initiating outpatient mental health care.

August 22, 2026JMIR Mental HealthOpen Access

Suicidal Ideation Across the Lifespan Among Commercially Insured Outpatients: Retrospective Cohort Study

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Authors

DBDena M Bravata JHJames M. Hudson SKSeverin Kibby

Discussion

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Overview

Retrospective cohort study reveals elevated suicidal ideation rates among commercially insured outpatients, suggesting an urgent need for expanded mental health screening and clinical support.

Key Points

To characterize the prevalence of suicidal ideation and evaluate associated demographic and social risk factors among commercially insured individuals initiating outpatient mental health care.
Retrospective cohort study of 189,225 commercially insured patients aged 6 to 64 years presenting for an initial outpatient mental health visit between January 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025.
Assessed suicidal ideation using item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and evaluated differences across age, sex, and geography using regression analysis.
Overall, 18.6% (35,215/189,225) of individuals reported suicidal ideation, with anxiety (29.7%, 56,176/189,225) and depression (26.5%, 50,075/189,225) representing the most common diagnoses.
Suicidal ideation was highest among adolescents aged 13–17 years (32.8%, 2107/6426; P < .001) and individuals identifying as nonbinary (37.5%, 644/1719; P < .001).
Suicidal ideation significantly increased alongside patients' social vulnerability (P < .001) and varied by geographic region.

Cite This Study

Bravata et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895f74ca7ade938187e1b2 https://doi.org/10.2196/101421

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August 22, 2026JMIR Mental HealthOpen Access

Suicidal Ideation Across the Lifespan Among Commercially Insured Outpatients: Retrospective Cohort Study

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

DBDena M Bravata JHJames M. Hudson SKSeverin Kibby

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Retrospective cohort study reveals elevated suicidal ideation rates among commercially insured outpatients, suggesting an urgent need for expanded mental health screening and clinical support.

Key Points

To characterize the prevalence of suicidal ideation and evaluate associated demographic and social risk factors among commercially insured individuals initiating outpatient mental health care.
Retrospective cohort study of 189,225 commercially insured patients aged 6 to 64 years presenting for an initial outpatient mental health visit between January 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025.
Assessed suicidal ideation using item 9 of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and evaluated differences across age, sex, and geography using regression analysis.
Overall, 18.6% (35,215/189,225) of individuals reported suicidal ideation, with anxiety (29.7%, 56,176/189,225) and depression (26.5%, 50,075/189,225) representing the most common diagnoses.
Suicidal ideation was highest among adolescents aged 13–17 years (32.8%, 2107/6426; P < .001) and individuals identifying as nonbinary (37.5%, 644/1719; P < .001).
Suicidal ideation significantly increased alongside patients' social vulnerability (P < .001) and varied by geographic region.

Cite This Study

Bravata et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895f74ca7ade938187e1b2 https://doi.org/10.2196/101421

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark