Teen suicide linked to exam stress, research suggests

According to a study conducted by the University of Manchester, exam pressures and physical health problems, such as acne, are major contributory factors in the suicides of young people.

The research investigated the suicides of 130 people in England between January 2014 and April 2015. It comes after figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed there had been an increase in the number of youth suicides.

The data suggests suicide is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35 in the UK. The study by the University of Manchester's National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness is the first time experts have studied the contributory factors on such a large scale.

The findings revealed that 36 per cent had a physical health condition such as acne or asthma; 29 per cent were facing exams or exam results; four died on an exam day or the day after; 28 per cent had been bereaved; and 22 per cent had been bullied, mostly face to face, with 23 per cent using the internet in relation to suicide, such as searching for methods.

Commenting on the report's findings, lead researcher Professor Louis Appleby said: "There are often family problems such as drug misuse or domestic violence and more recent stresses such as bullying or bereavement, leading to a 'final straw' factor such as an exam or relationship breakdown."