Mental health difficulties and suicidal behaviours among young migrants: multicentre study of European adolescents

BACKGROUND: Migration has been reported to be associated with higher prevalence of mental disorders and suicidal behaviour. AIMS: To examine the prevalence of emotional and behavioural difficulties, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among migrant adolescents and their non-migrant peers. METHOD: A school-based survey was completed by 11 057 European adolescents as part of the Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE) study. RESULTS: =0.031 for non-European migrants) and significantly higher levels of peer difficulties. Highest levels of conduct and hyperactivity problems were found among migrants of non-European origin. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate mental health services and school-based supports are required to meet the complex needs of migrant adolescents. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None. COPYRIGHT AND USAGE: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2017. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license.