Among young adults (ages 16 to 25) participating in the Health Monitor Young Adults 2024, 29% had suicidal thoughts at least once in the past year. This percentage varies regionally from 26% to 34%.

Less than half of the young adults with suicidal thoughts talked about it with someone. The Health Monitor Young Adults 2024 shows that the following factors are strongly associated with suicidal thoughts among young adults: loneliness, having experienced unwanted sexual experiences, feeling limited by mental health issues, and identifying as LGBTQIA+. Additionally, there is an association with drug use in the past 12 months, performance pressure, poor sleep, stress, and difficulty making ends meet. 

Fewer Suicidal Thoughts with Sufficient Resilience

Suicidal thoughts occur less frequently among young adults who are sufficiently resilient, felt happy in the last four weeks, can turn to someone when they are struggling, usually recover quickly after a difficult period, or are satisfied with life. 

This factsheet provides municipalities and other policymakers and professionals with concrete tools to strengthen policy, such as promoting social connection, mental resilience, inclusion, and timely assistance, with advice based on insights and practical experiences from 113.

Research Accountability

From April to July 2024, all GGD Municipal Health Service (Municipal Health Service)’s, along with RIVM and GGD GHOR Nederland Municipal / Joint Health Service – Medical Assistance Organization in the Region (Municipal / Joint Health Service – Medical Assistance Organization in the Region), conducted a study among 16 to 25-year-olds in the Netherlands: the Health Monitor Young Adults 2024. Over 135,000 young adults completed the questionnaire about their health, well-being, and lifestyle. They were mainly recruited through advertisements on social media. It is possible that respondents with poorer (mental) health participated relatively more often. 

GOR Network

The GOR Network consists of RIVM, the Municipal Health Services, GGD GHOR Nederland, Nivel, and ARQ National Psychotrauma Center (National Psychotrauma Center) National Psychotrauma Center. ZonMw Health Research Netherlands Medical Sciences (Health Research Netherlands Medical Sciences) is commissioned by the Ministry of VWS Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) to conduct the research.