Teen Sleep Deprivation Linked to Higher Suicide Risk

Adolescence is already a turbulent time, filled with emotional changes, academic pressures, and social challenges. Adding to the list of difficulties, researchers now think that sleep, which is often hampered by homework, screens and staying up late, may be a major factor in teen mental health issues, which most teenagers are willing to admit! A major UK study in Sleep Advances (2025) monitored 8,500 teenagers aged between 14 and 17. The study found that, even after controlling for other risk factors like family depression, sleep problems at age 14, specifically sleeping less on school nights, and a disturbed sleep pattern, were predictive of attempting suicide three years later (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Sleep problems, decision-making, and suicide attempts during adolescence: a longitudinal birth cohort study

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The results are extremely concerning, as long-term sleep deprivation may be endangering teens' lives and mental health in addition to leaving them in a state of constant exhaustion.

Less Sleep, More Suicidal Risk in Teens!

Most high school students are fortunate to get 6 or 7 hours of sleep each day, sacrificing it for extra grades, but they should aim for 8 to 10 hours. Late-night screen scrolling, social media, and early school start times all commonly disrupt sleep schedules.

Interestingly, researchers found a U-shaped cross-sectional relationship between the length of sleep during the school day and suicide attempts, suggesting that youth suicidality may be negatively impacted by both short (5–7 h) and long (≥9 h) sleep duration.

The researchers found that adolescents who were less likely to sleep on time during school nights were much more likely to attempt suicide in the future!

At the same time, frequent night awakenings, where teens get up more than once and do not get back to sleep, were also closely correlated with subsequent suicide attempts.

These snatches of sleep could make the brain feel exhausted, which would hinder its ability to process emotions or make logical decisions.

“Poor sleep, particularly fragmented or shortened sleep, seems to erode emotional stability,” explains lead author Michaela Pawley from the University of Warwick. “It’s not just about feeling tired — it affects how the adolescent brain processes stress and makes decisions.”

How Sleep Shapes Thinking and Emotion

Emotional control and decision-making are the two abilities that are not fully developed during adolescence, and they depend on sleep. The regions of the brain that regulate impulse control and emotional regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, begins to shrink when there is sleep disruption.

It was found that those teens with more rational decision-making behavior were not likely to attempt suicide, despite poor sleeping habits. However, as the number of night awakenings increased, this protective effect weakened.

It suggests a vicious cycle, whereby inadequate sleep impairs emotional regulation and cognitive function, which in turn increases the likelihood of negative behavior.

Sleep Isn’t Just Rest — It’s a Lifeline!

The researchers tried to rule out several other mental and social factors, such as depression, low self-esteem, previous self-harm, and family background, but sleep issues were still one of the most powerful independent predictors of suicide attempts. Therefore, it strongly implies that better sleep might be a feasible, effective measure of suicide prevention.

Easy lifestyle modifications such as:

• Encouraging a regular sleep and wake-up time, even on the weekends.
• Minimizing blue light exposure or phone use before bed.
• Practicing sleeping in a cool, dim sleeping environment.
• Cutting back on early school hours can have a significant impact.

Parents and teachers can do their part by encouraging them to get enough sleep, and that is how they perform better! In the evaluation of depression or suicidal risk in teens, healthcare professionals should also consider screening them for sleep disturbances.

Sleep Is a Key Factor For Mental Health

Even seemingly trivial events, like inadequate sleep, can have profound psychological impacts, as the study illustrates. Not only is it an issue with bedtime, but it also affects everyone's health.

Given that sleep is a key factor in mental health, schools and legislators should support the shift by implementing flexible start times, educating students to have good sleep routines, and incorporating mental health programmes that emphasize balance and rest.

Good Sleep, Strong Minds!

Sleep can make the difference between a teen's perseverance and their dejection because their brains are still developing.

Reduced sleep and frequent night awakenings may predispose to suicidal behaviour without receiving much attention, according to the research. But there is a silver lining to it all: we can save young minds and give them the strength to face the challenges of the next day if we begin to value sleep.

“Healthy sleep habits might just be one of the simplest — and most powerful — tools we have to prevent tragedy,” the researchers conclude!

Reference:

1. Sleep problems, decision-making, and suicide attempts during adolescence: a longitudinal birth cohort study - (https://academic.oup.com/sleepadvances/article/6/4/zpaf062/8255789)

Source-Medindia