Alcohol consumption predicts the EU suicide rates in young women aged 15–29 years but not in men: analysis of trends and differences among early and new EU countries since 2004

The aims of this study were to study suicide rates in youths aged 15–29 years in the European Union (EU), to identify differences between early members and new members to the EU since 2004, and to evaluate the association between alcohol-related variables and suicide rates, while controlling for indicators of social stress. We explored temporal trends in age-adjusted suicide rates for youths aged 15–29 years resident in EU nations since 1980. Social changes in EU nations were associated with increased inequalities between the countries in suicide, especially in male youths (new/early EU members: relative risk = 1.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.48/1.61). Pure alcohol consumption predicts suicide rates in female youths, whereas social stress related to violence against youths predicts suicide rates in male youths. EU political and heath agencies should devise policies to prevent youth suicide with a focus on alcohol misuse and societal stress associated with violence against youths.