Abstract:
Suicide ranks as the tenth leading cause of death around the world. Consequently, suicidal
ideation serves as a clear warning sign of possible suicidal behaviour. Since these ideations
are most prevalent among individuals aged 15 to 29, university students represent a high-risk
demographic for suicidal ideation. Meanwhile, students at the University of Jaffna have also
been experiencing a recent increase in suicides and attempted suicides, but the reasons behind
these events remain unclear. Hence, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of suicidal
ideation and to evaluate its associated factors among the university students at the University of
Jaffna. Thus, an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 414 participants across
11 faculties at the University of Jaffna from January 2024 to July 2025. A stratified random
sampling technique was employed to select participants. Ethical clearance was obtained from
the Ethics Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Data were collected
using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of three sections:
socio-demographic factors, personal, lifestyle, mental health factors, and the Beck Scale
for Suicidal Ideation. The Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation is a validated tool to screen suicidal
ideation. Therefore, screening outcomes were analysed in relation to each associated factor
using the Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. The prevalence
of suicidal ideation among the study participants was 11.6%. Factors including study year,
academic difficulties, tobacco smoking, consumption of alcoholic beverages, illicit drug use,
previous suicidal attempts, family history of suicide/attempted suicide, history of mental illnesses,
depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ragging, duration of ragging and emotional/
verbal ragging have been significantly associated with suicidal ideation among the study participants.
In conclusion, the prevalence of suicidal ideation among students at the University
of Jaffna falls within the globally reported range, yet it is markedly closer to its higher end.
Therefore, it highlights a concern regarding students’ mental health and safety. Consequently,
administrators should consider strengthening existing student counselling services and strictly
enforcing anti-ragging policies with clear disciplinary measures, as ragging is a significant factor
associated with suicidal ideation among university students.
